Health Insurance

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Funded by the federal government and Washington state and operated by the state Department of Social and Health Services, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides health insurance for low-income children under the age of 19.

SCHIP services include free medical, dental, vision, prescription and hospital care at a reduced cost, with no co-payments. The premium payments are $15 per child per month, up to a maximum of $45 per month per household.

Medical costs can be reimbursed retroactively for three months if the family can show that they were eligible during that time period.

Children may be eligible if:

• They are under the age of 19
• Their family or household income is between 200-300 percent federal poverty level as of January 1, 2009 (going up to 300% in January 2009 with the Apple Health for Kids program).

For children under the age of 19 who are living with anyone other than their biological or adoptive parents, the child is counted as a household of one and only the child's income, if any, is counted. The income of the people they live with is not considered.

Information

For more information, visit the SCHIP web site

Medicaid

Funded by the federal government and Washington state and operated by the state Department of Social and Health Services, Medicaid provides full medical, dental, vision, prescriptions and hospital coverage for low-income families and children who are U.S. citizens or have documentation of legal residency for the past five years. Services are free, with no co-payments or premiums.

Services include full medical, dental, vision, prescriptions and hospital coverage. Medical costs can be reimbursed retroactively for three months if the family can show that they were eligible during that time period.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Children under the age of 19 and adults with dependent children
• Family or household income is less than 200 percent federal poverty level

For children under the age of 19 who are living with anyone other than their biological or adoptive parents, only the child’s income, if any, is counted. The income of the people they live with is not considered.

Information

For more information, visit the Medicaid web site