New Hampshire CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of New Hampshire CHIP

For current eligibility thresholds and enrollment, visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid. CHIP and Medicaid applications are processed together in most states — apply once and both programs are considered.

NH Healthy Kids covers children up to 318% FPL — apply through the same NH EASY portal as Medicaid

New Hampshire operates a separate CHIP program called NH Healthy Kids, which covers children whose household income is above the Medicaid threshold but at or below 318% of the Federal Poverty Level. Apply at nheasy.nh.gov — the same application used for Medicaid. Call 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447) for help.

What is NH Healthy Kids?

NH Healthy Kids is New Hampshire's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), established under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. It provides low-cost health coverage to children whose families earn too much for standard Medicaid but cannot afford or access private insurance.

New Hampshire covers children at a notably high income threshold — 318% FPL — compared with many states. At 318% FPL for a family of four, the monthly income limit is approximately $8,241 as of 2025. This means many working and middle-income families in New Hampshire can qualify their children for NH Healthy Kids.

NH Healthy Kids uses the same three managed care organizations that deliver standard Medicaid services: AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, NH Healthy Families, and WellSense Health Plan. After approval, you will choose a plan or be assigned one.

Who qualifies for NH Healthy Kids

Under age 19
New Hampshire resident
U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
Household income above the Medicaid threshold but at or below 318% FPL
Not enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance that meets minimum value and affordability standards
Not currently eligible for NH Medicaid

Source: NH DHHS Division of Medicaid Services; 2025 HHS Federal Poverty Level guidelines.

What NH Healthy Kids covers

NH Healthy Kids provides a comprehensive children's health benefit package. The federal CHIP statute (42 U.S.C. § 1397bb) requires that CHIP offer a benefit package comparable to standard commercial coverage benchmarks. NH Healthy Kids includes:

Routine well-child exams and immunizations
Doctor office visits and specialist care
Emergency and urgent care
Hospital inpatient and outpatient services
Prescription drugs
Mental health and behavioral health services
Substance use disorder treatment
Vision care and eyeglasses when prescribed
Hearing services
Dental care (children's dental through fee-for-service — not managed care)
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy when medically necessary

Premiums and cost-sharing for NH Healthy Kids

NH Healthy Kids may require monthly premiums depending on household income. Federal CHIP rules (42 U.S.C. § 1397cc) cap total family out-of-pocket costs at 5% of annual household income. This cap applies across all CHIP enrollees in the household. If your family reaches the 5% cap, no further cost-sharing is required for the rest of the year.

Contact NH DHHS or the NH EASY portal for the current premium schedule — it is income-based and updated periodically.

How to apply for NH Healthy Kids

Apply through NH EASY at nheasy.nh.gov — the application covers both Medicaid and NH Healthy Kids in a single form. DHHS determines which program the child qualifies for based on income. You do not need to apply separately. If your child's income falls below the Medicaid threshold, they will be enrolled in Medicaid; if above, NH Healthy Kids.

Parents and guardians with undocumented immigration status can still apply for a child who is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen. The parent's immigration status is not considered in the child's eligibility determination. Do not provide the parent's Social Security number if the parent is undocumented — apply for the child only.

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 New Hampshire CHIP

Apply through New Hampshire 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.