Kansas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has existed for over two decades to help children have access to inexpensive health insurance coverage. CHIP and Medicaid enrollment are both part of the KanCare program. However, there are different eligibility requirements and covered services provided by Medicaid for children opposed to CHIP. To find answers to important questions like, “Is CHIP considered Medicaid?” and “What is CHIP Medicaid?” read the rest of this page.
What is Kansas’s Children’s Health Insurance Program?
Kansas CHIP aims to provide health coverage for children who do not qualify for Medicaid but still need assistance in paying for medical services. Even if adult members of a family do not have Medicaid eligibility children from that family can still apply for CHIP. Each state has its rules regarding who can enroll in Medicaid and CHIP, as each state had the option to accept the Affordable Care Act expansion.
Those who know how to apply to CHIP in KS and meet the requirements will have access to the medical professionals and providers in network with KanCare. CHIP beneficiaries can keep their primary care physician as long as he or she is in network. Enrollees may also change doctors at any time if they accept health insurance provided by CHIP.
Download our guide for comprehensive information about Medicaid and applying for health insurance.
Is CHIP considered Medicaid in Kansas?
While Kansas CHIP and Medicaid enrollment procedures are similar and both programs offer medical coverage for children in the state, they are separate entities. KS CHIP acts as an extension of the Medicaid program. While Medicaid covers low-income applicants with qualifying medical conditions, CHIP only covers minors who do not meet the requirements for Medicaid coverage. Please be aware that KanCare is available under both the CHIP and Medicaid program.
Medicaid costs and coverage is also different from CHIP in Kansas. Medicaid coverage is typically less expensive than the Kansas Children’s Health Insurance Program and covers from health care services. Because of this, Medicaid has stricter income requirements than CHIP.
Who qualifies for CHIP in Kansas?
Before learning how to apply for Children’s Health Insurance Program, petitioners should find out if they are eligible. In addition to being a Kansas resident and a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant, applicants must meet the income criteria. Kansas CHIP enrollees must also be:
- Younger than 19 years of age.
- In a family with children younger than 19 years of age.
To sign up for CHIP coverage, application cannot be enrolled in other health insurance plans. Lying on the CHIP application to falsify eligible for enrollment is a criminal offense and can result in jail time. While applying for CHIP, applicants will have to provide verification of their citizenship status, immigration status, identity and income levels. Enrollment is not permanent and enrollees will have to reapply to CHIP every year.
What services are covered by CHIP in Kansas?
Kansas Children’s Health Insurance Program covers many health services and procedures. Knowing what is covered by CHIP Medicaid is beneficial for enrollees to avoid surprise out-of-pocket expenses. The mission of the KS CHIP program is to keep children, families and expectant mothers healthy by allowing them to have access to affordable health services. The following services are covered by CHIP and Medicaid:
- Check-ups and doctor’s appointments
- Hospital visits
- Emergency room services
- Dental care
- Immunizations
- Prescription medications
There are more CHIP covered services that do not appear on this list. Those enrolled in the Medicaid for children will have access to services not covered by CHIP such as hospice care, certain medical devices and non-emergency transportation. There may be limits on how many services a beneficiary can receive in a 12-month time period. Physicals and teeth cleaning are only covered once a year. CHIP enrollees will not have to pay a copayment for check-ups and immunizations. Once the application has been submitted and accepted, the CHIP beneficiaries will have three different health plans to choose from. The types of services covered by CHIP under these plans will vary slightly. Once a plan has been chosen, the recipient cannot switch to a different one until the enrollment year is finished.
How to Apply for CHIP in Kansas
Like enrolling in Medicaid benefits, applying for CHIP in Kansas is easy. CHIP and Medicaid enrollment are managed in similar ways. Those interested in either program can apply online by logging on to the Medical Customer Self-Service portal, which the Department of Health and Environment manages. Applicants with questions about KanCare or who want to apply for CHIP or Medicaid can call 800-792-4884. Paper CHIP applications can be faxed to 800-498-1255.
Those who may have a complaint about the Children’s Health Insurance Program will have to speak to a case manager or file a written complaint to the Department of Health and Environment. There is no customer service number regarding complaints but the number listed above can be used to ask general questions about KanCare.
Learn how to potentially avoid having a request for Medicaid for children denied by reviewing the program’s requirements in our detailed guide.