Wyoming CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Wyoming CHIP

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

Kid Care CHIP covers Wyoming children up to 200% FPL — apply through WES online portal

Kid Care CHIP provides health coverage for children of Wyoming working families who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Apply at wesystem.wyo.gov or call 1-855-294-2127. A single application screens for both Wyoming Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP.

Who qualifies for Wyoming Kid Care CHIP

Kid Care CHIP covers children ages 0 through 18 whose family income falls above the Wyoming Medicaid threshold for children but at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Per Wyoming WDH, the program is intended for "children of working parents" who cannot afford commercial coverage.

Child must be under age 19
Must be a Wyoming resident
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
Family income above the Medicaid threshold but at or below 200% FPL
Child must not be eligible for Medicaid

Source: Wyoming Department of Health Programs and Eligibility page (health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/medicaid/programs-and-eligibility/). Call 1-855-294-2127 or visit the income requirements page at health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/medicaid/programs-and-eligibility/medicaid-income-requirements/ for current income limits.

Kid Care CHIP benefits in Wyoming

Wyoming Kid Care CHIP provides comprehensive health coverage including free preventive care and dental. Other services are available for small co-pays. Per WDH, "the program provides free preventive dental and health care. Other health services are available for a small co-pay."

Preventive care — well-child visits, immunizations (free)
Preventive dental care (free)
Doctor visits (small co-pay may apply)
Specialist referrals
Emergency and urgent care
Inpatient hospital care
Prescription drugs
Mental health and substance use treatment
Vision care
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

Federal CHIP rules cap annual family cost-sharing at 5% of family income. Co-pays are small and capped. Wyoming WDH's Member Handbook for Children (available at health.wyo.gov) details the benefits and cost-sharing applicable to CHIP enrollees.

Wyoming Kid Care CHIP compared to other states

At 200% FPL, Wyoming's Kid Care CHIP ceiling is lower than most states' combined Medicaid-plus-CHIP coverage for children. Many expansion states cover children through Medicaid to 200–300% FPL before CHIP even kicks in. Wyoming covers children at Medicaid rates up to 154% FPL (for younger children), then extends coverage through CHIP to 200% FPL — a combined ceiling lower than what most expansion states provide.

Kids over 200% FPL may qualify for marketplace subsidies

Children in Wyoming families earning above 200% FPL can access subsidized private health insurance through the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov. Premium tax credits are available for household incomes from 100% to 400%+ FPL. For families with CHIP-ineligible children, the marketplace is the primary coverage option.

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 Wyoming CHIP

Apply through Wyoming 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.