Iowa CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Last verified: June 2026
Informational overview of Iowa CHIP
Iowa's CHIP program is called Hawk-i — apply at abe.iowa.gov
What is Hawk-i?
Hawk-i (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) is Iowa's Title XXI CHIP program for children from birth through age 18. Hawk-i covers children in families that earn too much to qualify for Iowa Traditional Medicaid but whose income is at or below 302% of the Federal Poverty Level — roughly $94,000 per year for a family of four in 2026.
Iowa operates Hawk-i as a separate CHIP program rather than a Medicaid expansion CHIP. This means Hawk-i has its own premium structure, and children in the Hawk-i income tier receive Hawk-i benefits rather than full Traditional Medicaid benefits — though Hawk-i's benefits are comprehensive and closely mirror Medicaid.
A single application at abe.iowa.gov screens a child for both Traditional Medicaid and Hawk-i eligibility simultaneously. Families don't need to determine which program applies in advance.
Hawk-i income limits and premiums
Hawk-i covers children in households with income from 133% FPL (where Iowa Medicaid ends) up to 302% FPL. For a family of four in 2026, 302% FPL is approximately $94,000 per year. Exact eligibility thresholds update annually per HHS Federal Poverty Level guidelines — verify current limits at iowahawki.com or by calling 1-800-257-8563.
Hawk-i charges a small monthly premium. Per Iowa HHS, the maximum Hawk-i premium is $40 per month per family — capped regardless of how many children are enrolled. There is no premium for families with income at or below approximately 200% FPL.
Iowa's $40 per family monthly maximum is notably low compared to other states with separate CHIP programs. Federal rules cap total CHIP cost-sharing at 5% of family income annually — Iowa's Hawk-i program operates well within that limit.
Source: Iowa HHS Hawk-i program details at iowahawki.com; premium data per Iowa HHS Hawk-i documentation. Verify current premium schedule at iowahawki.com or by calling 1-800-257-8563.
What Hawk-i covers
Hawk-i provides comprehensive coverage for children. Benefits include:
- Well-child visits and preventive care
- Immunizations per the CDC schedule at no additional cost
- Vision — eye exams and eyeglasses
- Dental — comprehensive children's dental coverage through the Iowa Medicaid dental program
- Hearing screenings and hearing aids when medically necessary
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Prescription medications
- Hospital care, specialist referrals, and laboratory services
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy when medically necessary
Children in Hawk-i are covered by the federal EPSDT mandate (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)) for services crossing into Medicaid. Hawk-i children also benefit from Iowa's July 1, 2026 dental plan transition — they will choose between Delta Dental of Iowa or DentaQuest for dental benefits.
Hawk-i managed care
Most Hawk-i members are enrolled in one of Iowa's three Medicaid managed care organizations — Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, or Wellpoint Iowa. MCOs coordinate medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits for enrolled children. Each MCO has a provider network and member services line.
Hawk-i dental benefits are separate from the MCO medical benefit. Starting July 1, 2026, Iowa Medicaid dental is administered through a member's choice of Delta Dental of Iowa or DentaQuest — this applies to Hawk-i members as well as Traditional Medicaid members. Contact Iowa HHS at 1-800-338-8366 or the dedicated Hawk-i helpline at 1-800-257-8563 for details about your child's dental plan options.
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 Iowa CHIP
Apply through Iowa 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