Arizona KidsCare- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Program Overview

The Arizona Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides affordable health insurance to children and low-income families residing in the state of Arizona. The program also goes by the name of SCHIP. The CHIP program in Arizona is administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS. The program does not require any co-payments for any preventive services that it provides to the eligible patients. However, it does require certain co-payments and quarterly premium payments.

There are thousands of children who are uninsured and this program provides them with an opportunity to get medical insurance and improve their health conditions. Kids who are dependent on their parents and are less than 18 years of age are eligible to apply for this program. In some cases, the program might also provide health insurance to uninsured parents as well.

Program Objectives

The Arizona Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides services for kids like,

• Regular child check-ups
• Immunization and other preventive measures
• Dental check-ups of the child
•  Eye care services (eyeglasses, eye care services)
• Emergency services to the patients
• Medication payments
• Therapy and many more

Program Requirements

There are certain mandatory requirements for the Arizona KidsCare program that the applicant needs to fulfill in order to qualify for the program benefits. Those are,

• The applicant must be a citizen or legal alien of the United States of America
• The applicant who is a legal alien living in Arizona
• The applicant must be 18 years old or younger or a parent/caretaker with a child under 18 years of age
•  The applicant must not be receiving any health insurance including the Medicaid by the AHCCCS (although in depending on the need some applicants may get the CHIP benefits even if your household is receiving Medicaid  benefits)
• The applicant has parents working in Arizona State
• The applicant has/applied for a Social Security number
• The household income falls within the income level limits

The two important eligibility requirements are,

• Total number of members in the household
• The total annual income of the candidate

You can also visit the official Arizona KidsCare website to check your eligibility criteria for the program. The applicant will have to provide information regarding

• Earnings
• Rent or mortgage
• Utility expenses
• Child support expenses
• Day-care expenses
• Medical bills, if you are older than 60, or disabled
• Other benefit programs you have applied to
• Any other payments

How to Apply

• Online application

After making sure of your eligibility for the Arizona CHIP, the next step is the application process. You can make your application online by visiting the online portal at Health-e-Arizona PLUS website. Here you will be provided with all the necessary information regarding the CHIP program. This website provides easy and fast online services to the citizens of Arizona.

• Apply through the local office

Another easy way of applying for the Arizona CHIP is through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) office in your locality. The office will provide assistance regarding the health coverage program and the officials will make the whole process less daunting by providing the necessary information.

After downloading the form kindly fill it as accurately and truthfully as possible because a false statement can lead to termination of the application. Once the application is submitted you cannot change it hence it is advisable to be careful while filling out the application form.

Before filling the application form make sure you have all the required information to speed up the process. Once you have filled out the application form you can return it to the AHCCCS office.

• Apply Via Phone Call

Individuals interested in the Arizona KidsCare can also call the Children’s Health Insurance Program at the following numbers

•  800-564-5465 ( For the citizens of Central Arizona)
•  800-322-8670 ( For the citizens of Northern Arizona)
• 866-495-6738 (For the citizens of  Southern Arizona)

You can then talk to the program’s representative in your county and ask for the application form. By calling the above number you get to talk to a highly qualified member of the program who can answer any queries you might have regarding the Arizona Children’s Health insurance Program.

The applicants can also visit the Arizona Marketplace  to see if they qualify for the program. The Marketplace provides information about all the major topics including program details, goals, and eligibility criteria about the CHIPS program in various states of the United States of America.

For Further Information

If you have more queries please visit the official Arizona KidsCare program on the   Medicaid & CHIP Policies website. The website will make sure that you are provided with up-to-date information regarding the program to make the application process easy. You can choose any of the above options to get the application form and apply either in person or online however you feel comfortable.