Medicaid for Kids

• Medicaid is a federal and state funded insurance program that is run through the individual states. This decades-old program offers free- and low-cost insurance for children whose parents' income is below the federal poverty level. In 2009 a family of three could make up to $18,310 to qualify for this program.
  
  

Medicaid Benefits

• Medicaid for children covers many needed medical expenses, such as doctor's visits, immunizations, hospital services, dental visits, diagnostic testing and care for special needs.
  
  

Children's Health Insurance Program

• The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is an option for working families whose income is above the Medicaid guidelines. This federally and state funded program is run through each of the U.S. states and territories.
  
  

Cost of CHIP

• Depending on the parents' income level, families may qualify for free or reduced cost premiums.
  
  

CHIP Coverage

• The CHIP program covers many of the same services that Medicaid does. These include doctor's visit, immunizations, diagnostic tests.
  
  

The Future of CHIP

• In 2009 President Obama signed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), providing further funding to this lost cost program.