Good News for 30,000 PA Families: CHIP Kids Can Now Keep Coverage Through 2014

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that kids who have coverage through the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can now keep their coverage until the end of the year.

The option to stay on CHIP through the end of 2014 or transition to Medicaid will apply to children from families earning 100-133 percent of the federal poverty level. Children from families earning more than 133 percent of the federal poverty level, or $31,322 for a family of four, will remain on CHIP.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) is pleased with the federal government’s decision and continues to advocate for measures to improve access to health care throughout the commonwealth.

This announcement comes after several months of requests from families and organizations who expressed significant concerns that forcing kids out of CHIP and into Medicaid would disrupt current patient-physician relationships and access to care, as well as advocacy from the Corbett administration to preserve CHIP.

Notices to the 30,000 CHIP families impacted by HHS’ decision will soon be mailed from their CHIP insurance carriers.