The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), established under Title XXI of the Social Security Act in 1997, is a critical federal and state partnership aimed at providing health insurance to uninsured children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private health insurance.
Key Features of SCHIP
Federal/State Partnership: SCHIP is jointly financed by the federal government and individual states, and the implementation can vary from state to state.
Eligibility: The program covers children up to 19 years of age, belonging to families with incomes at different thresholds below a certain percentile of the federal poverty level, depending on the state.
Benefits: Coverage includes a broad range of medical services such as routine check-ups, immunizations, emergency visits, and hospital care.
Legislation and Policy
The legal framework for SCHIP is defined in Title XXI of the Social Security Act, which provides guidelines and funding procedures for states to follow.
Additional information can be found through resources like:
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - CHIP
- InsureKidsNow.gov, which offers detailed guidance and assistance for applying for SCHIP.
