Nevada CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Nevada CHIP

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

Nevada Check Up is Nevada's CHIP program — covers children who earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance

Nevada Check Up is the name of Nevada's State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), authorized by Title XXI of the Social Security Act. It covers children under 19 in families whose income is above the Nevada Medicaid threshold for children (200% FPL) but still low enough to qualify for subsidized coverage. Apply through the same portal as Medicaid: accessnevada.nv.gov. One application covers both programs — the Division of Social Services determines which applies.

Who qualifies for Nevada Check Up?

Nevada Check Up is designed for children under 19 whose families earn above the Nevada Medicaid income limit for children (200% FPL) but below Nevada Check Up's upper income threshold. The program also requires that the child be uninsured or have recently lost coverage — CHIP is generally not available to children who have access to employer-sponsored health insurance that meets minimum standards.

Child must be under age 19
Family income above 200% FPL (Medicaid threshold) and within Nevada Check Up income limits
Child must be a Nevada resident
Child must be a U.S. citizen or meet immigration requirements (lawfully present children qualify; undocumented children do not)
Child must be uninsured or have lost employer coverage recently
Child must not have access to employer-sponsored health coverage at reasonable cost

Source: Nevada DHCFP Nevada Check Up program at dwss.nv.gov; CMS CHIP program requirements. Exact upper income limits: verify current limits with DSS at accessnevada.nv.gov or by calling 1-800-992-0900.

What Nevada Check Up covers

Nevada Check Up provides comprehensive benefits comparable to those available under Nevada Medicaid for children. Per CMS, CHIP programs must cover a defined set of services. Nevada Check Up covers:

Well-child and preventive care visits
Doctor visits and specialist referrals
Hospital care (inpatient and outpatient)
Prescription medications
Emergency care
Dental and vision services
Mental health and behavioral health services
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy when medically necessary
Lab tests and X-rays

Cost sharing — does Nevada Check Up cost anything?

CHIP programs may include modest cost-sharing in the form of premiums and copayments, subject to federal limits. Under federal law (42 USC 1397cc), cost sharing for CHIP cannot exceed 5% of family income annually, and children in families at or below 150% FPL may not be charged premiums. Nevada Check Up cost-sharing structure follows these federal rules. Copayments, if any, are nominal compared to private insurance.

For current premium and copayment amounts, contact DSS at 1-800-992-0900 or review the Nevada Check Up benefit summary at accessnevada.nv.gov. Premiums are billed monthly and non-payment can result in coverage termination — set up auto-pay if available.

How to apply for Nevada Check Up

The same application at accessnevada.nv.gov covers both Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up. DSS reviews income and determines which program the child qualifies for. Documents needed are the same as for Medicaid: proof of residency, income documentation, child's birth certificate, and Social Security number. There is no separate Nevada Check Up application — one application covers both.

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 Nevada CHIP

Apply through Nevada 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.