Alaska CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Alaska CHIP

For current eligibility thresholds and enrollment, visit https://health.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/medicaid/default.aspx. CHIP and Medicaid applications are processed together in most states — apply once and both programs are considered.

Denali KidCare is Alaska's CHIP program — covers children birth through 18 and pregnant women

Denali KidCare provides health coverage for Alaska children and pregnant women who meet income limits. Apply through healthcare.gov or the Alaska Connect portal. Call DPA at 800-478-7778 for assistance. A single application determines whether your child qualifies for Medicaid or Denali KidCare.

Who qualifies for Denali KidCare

Denali KidCare is Alaska's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), administered by DPA under the Alaska Department of Health. It covers children from birth through age 18 and pregnant women who meet household income limits but whose income is too high for standard Alaska Medicaid.

Child must be under age 19 (or pregnant woman meeting income limits)
Must be an Alaska resident
Must be a U.S. citizen or qualifying immigrant
Household income must be at or below approximately 175% of Alaska FPL
A single application screens for both Medicaid and Denali KidCare

Source: Alaska DPA Denali KidCare page (health.alaska.gov/en/services/denali-kidcare/); Alaska Medicaid Income and Eligibility Standards. Alaska FPL thresholds are 25% higher than the 48-state standard — verify current dollar figures with DPA at 800-478-7778.

Denali KidCare benefits

Denali KidCare provides comprehensive coverage equivalent to Alaska Medicaid for children. The Alaska Medicaid Recipient Handbook (updated 2025) covers what services are available to enrolled members, including children on Denali KidCare.

Well-child and preventive care visits
Immunizations
Doctor visits and specialist referrals
Emergency and urgent care
Inpatient hospital care
Prescriptions (see Alaska Preferred Drug List for details)
Dental care (EPSDT-scope for children under 21)
Vision care
Mental health and substance use treatment
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Non-emergency medical transportation

Renewing Denali KidCare coverage

Per DPA, Denali KidCare is issued for 12-month periods. DPA sends a renewal form to your household approximately 45 days before coverage ends. You must renew every 12 months to avoid a break in coverage.

Renew through the Alaska Connect portal, by calling 800-478-7778, or by returning the paper renewal form sent by DPA. The same access challenges that affect adult Medicaid renewals in rural Alaska apply to Denali KidCare — phone renewal is often the most practical option for families outside larger communities.

How to apply for Denali KidCare

Apply through healthcare.gov or the Alaska Connect portal at alaskaconnect.ilinx.com/engage/dpa. The system will determine whether your child or pregnancy qualifies for Medicaid or Denali KidCare based on household income. You do not need to know which program applies before applying — the system screens automatically.

Alaska's FPL adjustment means more families may qualify than expected

Because Alaska uses a higher FPL than the 48-state standard, the dollar income limit for Denali KidCare is higher in Alaska than in most other states for the same FPL percentage. Families who assume their income is too high should check — the actual Alaska dollar threshold is 25% higher than the same percentage applied elsewhere. Use DPA's pre-screening tool at health.alaska.gov or call 800-478-7778 to check your household.

What CHIP is

CHIP — the Children's Health Insurance Program — is a federal-state partnership that covers children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. Congress created CHIP in 1997 under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, and each state administers its own program.

CHIP serves children up to age 19 (some states cover to 21 for children in foster care). It is not available to adults — CHIP is specifically designed to address the coverage gap for children in working families.

Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data. In most states, it is a seamless part of the broader children's health coverage system alongside Medicaid.

What CHIP covers

Federal law requires CHIP to cover certain core benefits. States may add to the list. Standard CHIP coverage includes:

Doctor visits, including well-child checkups and sick visits
Hospital care — inpatient and outpatient
Emergency room and urgent care services
Prescription drug coverage
Mental health and substance use disorder services
Dental care — preventive and restorative
Vision care, including eye exams and glasses
Laboratory and imaging services
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids when medically necessary

How to apply for Alaska CHIP

Apply through Alaska Medicaid — the same application covers both Medicaid and CHIP. Online applications are typically fastest and allow document uploads. You can also apply by phone or in person at a local eligibility office.

See the how to apply page for the complete application process, required documents, and what to expect during review.

CHIP and Medicaid income ranges overlap — apply regardless

If you're not sure whether your child qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, apply anyway. The eligibility system determines which program applies based on your income. A child who earns out of Medicaid may qualify for CHIP, and vice versa. Don't let uncertainty about which program applies prevent you from applying.