Enroll in Medicaid & the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time

Published on May 11, 2017

Medicaid
and the
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans. If you qualify for these programs, your coverage can start right away, any time of year.
Image: {Father and son enroll in Medicaid & CHIP outside Open Enrollment}Image: {Father and son enroll in Medicaid & CHIP outside Open Enrollment}

Who qualifies?

  • In all states, Medicaid and CHIP provide health coverage for eligible children, parents, pregnant women, elderly people with certain incomes, and people with disabilities.
  • Many states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all adults below a certain income level.
  • To see if you qualify, enter your household income and size, and we’ll tell you if expanded Medicaid coverage for people in your income range is available in your state.
  • Children in families with income too high to qualify for Medicaid may still be eligible to enroll in CHIP.

How can I apply?

  • You can apply through the Marketplace or directly with your state Medicaid or CHIP agency. Choose your state for your Medicaid agency’s contact information.
  • When you fill out an application through the Health Insurance Marketplace®, if it looks like anyone in your household qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, we’ll send your information to your state agency. They’ll contact you about enrollment.

Get more information