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About CHIP

CHIP is a free or low-cost health insurance plan. The plan provides health insurance to eligible Montana children up to age 19. A child can qualify for CHIP based on family size and income. There is no asset test. There is no proof of income required at the time of application.

Parents are in charge of the health care their children receive. They are partners with the state and federal governments in providing health insurance for their children. Some parents share in the cost of their children's health care by paying a small co-payment when care is received.

Applications for CHIP are available in all Montana communities. Locations include Offices of Public Assistance, county health departments, health care facilities, WIC offices, Head Start facilities, Indian Health Services, and many more community locations. Applications are also available by mail by calling 1-877-KidsNow (877)-543-7669.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Uninsured children up to age 19
  • Montana residents
  • US citizens or qualified aliens
  • Not currently insured and uninsured for one month (some exceptions apply)
  • Parents are not employed by the State of Montana or the Montana University system.
  • Not eligible for Medicaid
  • Household meets income guidelines for household size (see chart)
    There is no asset test.

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2008 CHIP Income Chart
Effective February 1, 2008
*Annual Adjusted Gross Income (before taxes)
Household Size
(Children and Adults)
Household Income
Family of 2
$24,500
Family of 3
$30,800
Family of 4
$37,100
Family of 5
$43,400
Family of 6
$49,700
Family of 7
$56,000
Family of 8
$62,300
Some employment-related and child care deductions apply.
These guidelines are effective February 1, 2008.
Income guidelines may increase in 2009.
* If a child qualifies for Medicaid, health insurance will be provided by Medicaid.

*The CHIP Income chart is based on Federal guidelines that are adjusted every year. The CHIP Income Chart is an accurate eligibility guide effective February 1, 2008.

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Children may be eligible for CHIP even if income is higher than listed, depending on the number of household members working and dependent care paid.

 

Covered Services

  • Office and clinic visits
  • Emergency services
  • Hospital services
  • Sports or employment physicals
  • Anesthesia services
  • Surgical services
  • Well-child checkups
  • Prescription drugs
  • Laboratory and X-ray services
  • Mental health services
  • Substance abuse services
  • Dental services
  • Vision exams and eyeglasses
  • Hearing exams

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Co-Payments
Some families must pay co-payments depending on income. The maximum co-payment is $215 per family per benefit year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30).
  • No co-payment for well-baby or well-child care, including age-appropriate immunizations
  • No co-payment for dental services
  • No co-payment for eyeglasses
  • $25 each inpatient hospital visit
  • $10 for 3 months supply of mail order brand-name prescription drug
  • $6 for 3 months supply of mail order generic prescription drug
  • $5 each emergency room visit
  • $5 each outpatient hospital visit
  • $5 each brand-name prescription drug
  • $3 each physician visit
  • $3 each generic prescription drug

There are no pre-existing condition limitations.  

CHIP will notify a family when benefits will begin. CHIP pays for services on and after the date of enrollment but does not pay for care received before enrollment begins.

Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services provides health coverage to children enrolled in  CHIP. The Department contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana for administrative services, including claim processing and access to BC/BS's provider network. CHIP enrollees receive a CHIP identification card, a member handbook describing how to use the insurance, and lists of doctors, dentists and other health care providers.

Dental services and eyeglasses are covered under CHIP. More information is provided when children are enrolled in CHIP. 

Dental Providers in My Area

Medical Providers in My Area

Number of Providers by County
To view a current listing of CHIP dental providers (110k) listed by county you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.  To get a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click the following link.
  
 To view a listing of heath care professionals currently participating with CHIP, visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana web site at www.bcbsmt.com/index.htm. A map (1030k) is available that shows by county how many providers are currently participating with CHIP.  Viewing this map requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  To get a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click the following link.
 

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CHIP Waiting List

There is no current waiting list. When enrollment exceed the maximum spaces available, eligible children are placed on a waiting list. As children on the plan are disenrolled,** spaces become available and are filled by those on the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on CHIP and other health care programs, call the CHIP Family Health Line at 1-877-KidsNow (877)-543-7669

**Children become disenrolled from CHIP when they reach the age of 19 years, receive other health care coverage (including Medicaid), move from Montana, are over the income guidelines, CHIP is unable to locate the family, or if parents do not renew their children's CHIP insurance.

Page last updated: 10/08/2008