Premium Assistance for Medicaid and CHIP
If you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, but are unable to afford the premiums, some States have premium assistance programs that can help pay for coverage. These States use funds from their Medicaid or聽Children鈥檚 Health Insurance Program聽to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, but need assistance in paying their health premiums.
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.
If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial聽877.KIDSNOW聽or聽聽to find out how to apply. If you qualify, you can ask the State if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.
Once it is determined that you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, your employer鈥檚 health plan is required to permit you and your dependents to enroll in the plan 鈥� as long as you and your dependents are eligible, but not already enrolled in the employer鈥檚 plan. This is called a 鈥渟pecial enrollment鈥� opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance.