Oklahoma CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Oklahoma CHIP

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

Oklahoma CHIP is called SoonerCare — there is no separate CHIP brand

Oklahoma runs Medicaid and CHIP under the single SoonerCare name. Children who fall into the CHIP income range — above Medicaid limits but below CHIP's upper threshold — are enrolled in the same SoonerCare program with the same application and the same OHCA contact information. Apply at mysoonercare.org or call 1-800-987-7767.

How Oklahoma operates CHIP as part of SoonerCare

Oklahoma operates its Children's Health Insurance Program (Title XXI CHIP) as a Medicaid expansion CHIP — meaning children in the CHIP income tier receive the same benefits, the same providers, and the same managed care options as children in lower-income Medicaid tiers. There is no separate CHIP application, no separate CHIP card, and no difference in covered services between children at 50% FPL and children at 185% FPL. Both are in SoonerCare.

This contrasts with "separate CHIP" states where CHIP operates as a distinct program with its own premiums, cost-sharing, and benefit design. Oklahoma's unified approach keeps enrollment simpler for families and eliminates the risk of children being lost between programs during routine income changes.

Income eligibility for children's SoonerCare

SoonerCare covers children and adolescents from birth through age 18 at income thresholds above the adult expansion level. Exact income limits vary by age group and update annually. Per OHCA, children may qualify at income levels significantly above the 138% FPL adult threshold — specific children's income charts are available at mysoonercare.org or by calling 1-800-987-7767.

There is no premium for most SoonerCare children's coverage. No asset test applies. Children with access to employer-sponsored insurance may still qualify for SoonerCare in some circumstances — OHCA makes that determination at application.

What SoonerCare covers for children

Children in SoonerCare receive comprehensive coverage under the federal EPSDT mandate (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)), which requires all medically necessary services for members under age 21. Covered services include:

Well-child visits and developmental screenings
Vaccines per CDC immunization schedule — covered at no cost
Vision exams and eyeglasses
Hearing evaluations and hearing aids
Comprehensive dental — exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and orthodontics when medically necessary
Mental health and behavioral health services
Substance use disorder treatment
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Hospital care, specialty care, and prescription drugs
Non-emergency medical transportation to covered services

SoonerSelect and children's managed care

Most children enrolled in SoonerCare are covered through SoonerSelect, Oklahoma's managed care program launched in 2023. Children are assigned a primary care provider through their SoonerSelect plan. The plan coordinates referrals to specialists, authorizes certain services, and provides member services. Three managed care organizations currently contract with OHCA for SoonerSelect. After your child enrolls, you'll receive information to select a plan.

Newborns born to SoonerCare-enrolled mothers are automatically enrolled in SoonerCare from birth. Coverage begins on the date of birth. If the mother was not enrolled, the newborn may still apply, and some retroactive coverage may be available.

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 Oklahoma CHIP

Apply through Oklahoma Health Care Authority (SoonerCare) — 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.