~CHIP~

South Dakota’s Children’s Health Insurance Program provides health insurance at little or no cost to SD children who meet certain eligibility guidelines. CHIP provides health insurance coverage to uninsured children whose family income is up to 200% of the federal poverty level (a monthly income of $3,442 for a family of four). Children who already have private health insurance may also be eligible for CHIP paying deductibles, co-payments and other medical services not covered by their private policy. To apply go to your local Dept. of Social Services Office. Call 1-800-305-3064 or www.dss.sd.gov for more information.

Family Voices of South Dakota provides information and resources to families who have children with special health care needs. We also look at policies that affect the families we are working with. One piece of legislation we are watching on the Federal and State Level is the Family Opportunity Act (FOA). This piece of legislation would allow families who fall between 200% - 300% of the federal poverty level to buy into the CHIP Program. This Medicaid Buy-in program would provide a step system for families so they would not completely be cut off for making only a few dollars over the 200% of the federal poverty level.