Eligibility criteria
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Montana, under 19 years of age, not covered by health insurance (including Medicaid), a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien, and you must have an annual household income before taxes of less than $13,471 if one person lives in the household; $18,181 if two people live in the household; $22,891 if three people live in the household; $27,601 if four people live in the household; $32,311 if five people live in the household; $37,021 if six people live in the household; $41,731 if seven people live in the household; $46,441 if eight people live in the household; $51,151 if nine people live in the household; $55,861 if 10 people live in the household; $60,571 if 11 people live in the household; $65,281 if 12 people live in the household. For families with more than 12 members, add $4,710 for each additional member.

Description
CHIP is a low-cost, private health insurance plan that provides coverage to eligible Montana children until age 19. Covered services include medical, dental, eyeglasses, and other related services.
Financial eligibility is based on a family's gross income. A Work Expense Disregard (up to $1,440/year of each income earner's income) and/or a Dependent Care Disregard - ($2,400 /year for care of a child or incapacitated adult) may be deducted from the family's gross income. There are no asset or resource tests. Children may not be eligible for Medicaid or health insurance under the state employee benefit plan. They may not have other health insurance and or been covered by insurance during the previous 3 months (some exceptions apply). Some families share in the cost of their children's health care by making co-payments when services are received. A family's maximum co-payment amount is $215 per benefit year.
After receiving an application for insurance coverage, the State's CHIP office will notify a family if children are eligible and when benefits will begin. There is currently a waiting list for newly eligible children. CHIP will pay for services on and after the date of enrollment but will not pay for services incurred before enrollment begins.
Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana to provide health insurance to children enrolled in CHIP. The Department pays a premium for each child every month. CHIP enrollees receive an insurance identification card, an enrollee handbook describing how to use the insurance, and a list of doctors, dentists, and other health providers.

Managing organization
Montana http://www.discoveringmontana.com

Program contact information & web resources
Applications for CHIP are available in Montana communities at county health departments, health care facilities, WIC offices, Head Start facilities, Indian Health Services, and many more community locations.

Further information on the CHIP program and applications are available by mail:
PO Box 202951
Helena MT 59620-2951

By fax:

Phone: 877-418-4533
Or visit the Montana CHIP Web site at:
http://www.chip.state.mt.us

By email:

Email: chip@state.mt.us

By phone:
877-543-7669