Kentucky CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Last verified: June 2026
Informational overview of Kentucky CHIP
KCHIP covers children up to 218% FPL at no premium cost — it is free health insurance for eligible families
What is KCHIP?
KCHIP — the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program — is Kentucky's Title XXI CHIP program. It covers uninsured children under age 19, currently pregnant women, and women within one year postpartum whose household income is at or below 218% of the Federal Poverty Level. The program uses the same managed care organizations as Kentucky Medicaid — members receive care through Aetna Better Health, Humana Healthy Horizons, Passport Health Plan by Molina, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, or WellCare of Kentucky.
Kentucky's decision to make KCHIP premium-free distinguishes it from many other states that charge monthly CHIP premiums. This reduces one of the most common barriers to children's coverage: families who qualify may still not enroll if they face a premium cost. KCHIP removes that barrier.
Who qualifies for KCHIP
- Child must be under age 19
- Currently pregnant women — applies during pregnancy
- Women within 1 year of delivery
- Household income at or below 218% FPL
- Must be a Kentucky resident
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or qualified noncitizen
- Must not have employer-sponsored insurance that provides adequate coverage
Children whose family income is below the standard Medicaid limit qualify for full Kentucky Medicaid (not KCHIP). Children above the Medicaid limit and at or below 218% FPL qualify for KCHIP. A single application through kynect determines which program applies — you do not need to choose between them.
What KCHIP covers
KCHIP provides the same comprehensive benefit package as Kentucky Medicaid for children, including full EPSDT coverage for members under 21.
- Well-child visits and developmental screenings at all recommended ages
- Immunizations on the CDC-recommended schedule
- Dental care — preventive, restorative, and medically necessary orthodontics
- Vision care and eyeglasses
- Mental health and substance use disorder services
- Primary care, specialist care, and hospital services
- Prescriptions
- Emergency and urgent care
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Home health and medical equipment when medically necessary
KCHIP and children's renewal: what changed in 2025
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, children's KCHIP coverage was automatically extended at each annual renewal without requiring family action. That flexibility ended June 30, 2025. Starting with July 2025 renewal dates, children's annual renewals resumed — families must respond to renewal notices to maintain coverage.
The Kentucky DMS created an informational toolkit for families navigating the return to annual renewals. Materials including renewal guides, alternative coverage information, and step-by-step instructions for accessing kynect are available at kidshealth.ky.gov. If your child's coverage was recently terminated and you believe they are still eligible, reapply at kynect.ky.gov immediately.
How to apply for KCHIP
Apply at kynect.ky.gov, by calling 1-855-459-6328, or at a local DCBS office. The same application covers Kentucky Medicaid and KCHIP — the system determines eligibility automatically. Applications are accepted year-round.
If you applied through healthcare.gov and were determined eligible for CHIP, your application transfers to Kentucky automatically. You do not need to reapply through kynect separately.
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 Kentucky CHIP
Apply through Kentucky 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