Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

[jpdx]

What is your experience with CHIP?

The details seem to vary a lot by state. I am in Oregon and I think my child is eligible, and it almost seems too good to be true. For a family of 3 the income level (AGI) is around $62,000. With above-the-line deductions like SEP IRAs, personal IRAs, HSA, 1/2 SE tax, a self-employed couple could make $100k and still make the cut.

The benefits seem really good -- just about everything is covered including dental and vision, and there are no deductible, copays, or coinsurance. I checked and my pediatrician accepts it, as does the very good nearby hospital.

I am a little confused by the Coordinated Care Organizations. Pediatrician said we need to sign up for CHIP and a particular CCO to be in their network.

P.S. Anyone else think there should be a separate Health Insurance topic in this forum?!

[ixtap]

The issue with CHIP is funding: as of this moment it is unfunded going forward.

[jim555]

The government has its priorities straight, tax cuts for billionaires and no funding for sick children.

[schwaz]

CHIP is basically just another form of Medicaid coverage and each State sets up their own program, which is partially reimbursed by the federal government.  It's funded the same way any government program is funded so I'm not sure why we think it's unfunded going forward.

As for the CCO portion:  States contract with health insurance companies to manage the costs of their Medicaid and CHIP programs.  One piece of this management is usually the network of doctors.  That's why your pediatrician is telling you to pick one of the CCOs so that they're in the network.

[jim555]

CHIP is basically just another form of Medicaid coverage and each State sets up their own program, which is partially reimbursed by the federal government.  It's funded the same way any government program is funded so I'm not sure why we think it's unfunded going forward.

It needs to be reauthorized and so far it hasn't been, so it is currently unfunded.

[jpdx]

The funding uncertainty sucks, but Oregon appears committed to continuing the program despite the inaction from Congress. I'm betting the federal funding will materialize but not until after the GOP uses it as a negotiation tool.