CHIP Health Insurance for Uninsured Children in Pennsylvania
CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, gives health coverage to children and teens who have no insurance. Many kids receive CHIP for free, and families with higher incomes can get the same benefits at a low cost.
A child or teen may qualify if they are under 19 years of age, a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or qualified alien, a resident of Pennsylvania, and uninsured and not eligible for Medical Assistance. Whether coverage is free or low-cost depends on the number of people in the household and total household income. For free CHIP there are no premiums or copays; premiums and copays apply only to low-cost CHIP. If your income is below the lowest amount listed in the income chart, your child or teen may be enrolled in Medicaid instead, and your family could be eligible for Medical Assistance.
The figures are published in the 2026 CHIP Income Guidelines Chart, effective March 1, 2026, which shows the average monthly cost per child so families can see which category they fall into and which type of coverage, free or low-cost, they may get. The chart, the 2026 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines effective March 1, 2026, and the CHIP Rates by Participating Insurance Company effective January 1, 2026 are posted with the program details at pa.gov.
CHIP is comprehensive coverage for routine doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care and much more, including: - Immunizations - Routine checkups and well visits - Prescription drugs - Dental, vision, hearing services - Emergency care - Mental health benefits - Hospitalization - Durable medical equipment - Partial hospitalization for mental health services - Substance abuse treatment - Rehabilitation therapies - Home health care - Maternity care - Hospice and palliative services - Medically necessary orthodontia - Autism Spectrum Disorder and related services
To find out whether your child qualifies, use COMPASS at compass.dhs.pa.gov, the state's online tool for applying for health and human service programs and managing benefit information. The same application can check you for other human services in Pennsylvania.
For questions about CHIP eligibility, call the CHIP offices. The CHIP Statewide Change Center answers at 1-877-395-8930. The page does not list office hours for that number.
Source: pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/chip/eligibility-and-benefits, read September 24, 2026.
The details
In Berks County Assistance Office’s words
Many kids receive CHIP for free. Others can get the same benefits at a low cost. If your income is below the lowest amount listed, your child or teen will be referred to Medical Assistance. CHIP is there for your kids with quality, comprehensive health insurance coverage for routine doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care and much more, including:
Organization
Berks County Assistance Office
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This listing summarizes publicly available information from pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/chip/eligibility-and-benefits. Last recorded review: September 24, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.