Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)

CHIP is designed to provide health care insurance for children in families without health insurance or with inadequate health insurance.  It does not replace Medicaid, in fact, children on Medicaid are precluded from CHIP participation. CHIP is administered by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. Children who currently do not have health insurance may be eligible for CHIP. Benefits for CHIP are not retroactive. CHIP covers children from birth to age 19.  Families are urged to apply to see if their children are eligible for the program. Applications must be made at the Medicaid Regional Office that covers the county where the applicant lives.  All applications must be made in person. Eligibility is continuous for one year. There are no premiums or deductibles, although there is a small co-pay for some services for higher income participants on CHIP