Delaware CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Delaware CHIP

For current eligibility thresholds and enrollment, visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma. CHIP and Medicaid applications are processed together in most states — apply once and both programs are considered.

Delaware's CHIP program is called the Delaware Healthy Children Program — covers children at or below 212% FPL

The Delaware Healthy Children Program (DHCP) covers children up to age 19 whose family income is above the standard Medicaid limit but at or below 212% FPL. Per the 2026 DMMA income table, the monthly income limit is $2,820 for a household of 1 and $5,830 for a household of 4. Apply at assist.dhss.delaware.gov.

Who qualifies for the Delaware Healthy Children Program

DHCP covers uninsured children under 19 whose household income falls between the standard Medicaid threshold and 212% FPL. A single ASSIST application determines whether a child qualifies for Delaware Medicaid or DHCP — the system evaluates household income automatically.

Child must be under age 19
Family income at or below 212% FPL
Monthly income limit: $2,820 for household of 1; $5,830 for household of 4 (2026 DMMA table)
Child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or qualifying immigrant
Child must reside in Delaware
Child must not have access to affordable employer-sponsored coverage

Source: DMMA 2026 Countable Income Limits table (dhss.delaware.gov/dmma/fpl.html, updated February 2026). These are verified figures from the official DMMA eligibility document.

DHCP benefits and cost-sharing

DHCP provides comprehensive coverage for enrolled children through the same Diamond State Health Plan MCOs — Highmark Health Options and Molina Healthcare — that serve standard Medicaid members. The benefit package is equivalent to the EPSDT children's benefit.

DHCP cost-sharing is minimal. Premiums and co-pays are modest at higher income levels within the 212% FPL range, and preventive care visits are generally not subject to cost-sharing. Federal CHIP rules cap annual family out-of-pocket costs at 5% of family income.

Well-child visits and developmental screenings
Immunizations
Doctor visits and specialist referrals
Prescriptions
Emergency and urgent care
Inpatient hospital care
Mental health and substance use services
Dental care (comprehensive EPSDT scope)
Vision care and eyeglasses
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

How to apply for DHCP

Apply through ASSIST at assist.dhss.delaware.gov. A single ASSIST application screens for both Delaware Medicaid and DHCP. You can also apply by calling Customer Relations at (866) 843-7212 or visiting a DHSS office. Applications are processed within 45 days under federal rules.

After your child is enrolled, they will be assigned to either Highmark Health Options or Molina Healthcare. Contact the Health Benefits Manager at (800) 996-9969 if you have questions about choosing between the two MCOs.

Delaware Medicaid vs. DHCP: income limits side by side

Program	FPL %	Monthly limit (hh of 4)
Delaware Medicaid (children)	133% FPL	$3,658/mo
Delaware Healthy Children Program (CHIP)	212% FPL	$5,830/mo

Source: DMMA 2026 Countable Income Limits table (dhss.delaware.gov/dmma/fpl.html). Children at or below 133% FPL qualify for Delaware Medicaid (no premium). Children above 133% FPL and at or below 212% FPL qualify for DHCP (with modest cost-sharing).

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 Delaware CHIP

Apply through Delaware 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.