CHIP Program for Felons

Have a question? Email us here anything that troubles you.

Felons who have children need a way to make sure they have health insurance coverage. The problem is that health insurance can be quite costly, even if it’s just for one or two children. This leaves many felons unsure how to get their children the medical care they need. The good news is that the federal government offers a program that will help by providing children with health insurance coverage.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will provide felons with a way to make sure that their children have the health insurance coverage that they need. The CHIP program for felons is part of the government’s Medicaid program. The only difference is that it focuses only on making sure that children have health insurance.

There are nearly 10 million children who are enrolled in the CHIP program. Felons are eligible for the program, providing that their income meets the guidelines and they are a citizen or legal alien. The program is administered through the states, so you will end up applying with your state.

How CHIP Works

The federal government wants to help make sure that families that cannot afford health insurance for their children are able to get medical care. This is why they created CHIP. The program essentially provides health insurance coverage for children who are from low income families.

Felons who have children and have a low income may be able to qualify for the health insurance program. If you are approved, you will have health insurance coverage for your children. The program will pay for all or part of your medical bills, depending on your current financial situation.

Some people who apply for CHIP do have to contribute to the medical bills through a cost sharing plan. However, this may be exactly what felons need in order to make health insurance for their children more affordable. Once you are approved for CHIP, you will receive a health insurance card that provides information for medical providers. That card will show that you have health insurance and they will send the bills to the correct place, which is to the federal government.

Who Qualifies for CHIP

Felons who have an income that is below 150% of the federal poverty level will not have any premiums higher than what is allowed through the Medicaid program. Most people in the Medicaid program do not pay for anything. They usually get their healthcare needs paid for completely.

Felons who have an income that is higher than 150% of the federal poverty level will have to engage in a cost sharing plan. This means they will help pay for the medical bills, but they will not have to pay more than 5% of their income.

Children who can be approved for CHIP must be under the age of 19, be uninsured, and be a citizen or legal alien. They also need to be a resident in the state that their parent is applying for the insurance in. Children who are incarcerated or are patients in a mental institution are not eligible for CHIP.

How to Apply for CHIP

CHIP is run through local offices throughout each state. Therefore, you will apply on a state level to see if you can be approved for the program. Most states offer an online application, but you may also have to have a follow up in-person visit.

When applying for CHIP, you will have to provide information about your address, income, and people in your household. You will need to provide information about the children that will be covered with the health insurance.
Once you are approved for CHIP, you will be able to use the health insurance to take your child to the doctor. The insurance will also help with paying bills for such medical care as prescription drugs, walk-in clinics, emergency care, dental work, vision tests, and more. CHIP provides health insurance coverage for most types of medical or health related issues.

The government does offer what is called a fast lane to CHIP. This is for felons who need immediate health insurance coverage for their children. They will provide the insurance immediately and presume they are eligible. The situation can change later after a full review is done.

Felons who need health insurance for their children should consider applying for CHIP. The program has been designed to meet the needs of those in the community who do not have health insurance. If you have a low income you may get the health insurance benefits without having to contribute anything to the costs. If your income is a bit higher you can still qualify, but you may have to contribute to the bills for medical coverage.

To learn more about CHIP for felons or to find an office near you to apply, click here.