State CHIP | DHHS Children's Health Insurance Program

Coming January 2024, the state of Utah will be offering a new CHIP benefit for non-citizen children called State CHIP. Children of working families may be eligible if they do not have other health insurance and cannot qualify for Medicaid or the traditional CHIP program due to citizenship status. A special open enrollment for State CHIP will begin on January 1, 2024.

The goal of State CHIP is to reduce confusion and fear that may keep the children of immigrant families from accessing critical medical, dental, and mental health services. Receiving State CHIP benefits is not subject to public charge and will not affect immigration or citizenship status.

The state will not report immigration status or undocumented individuals to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Enrollment for State CHIP will open on January 1, 2024. The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) will process all applications and determine eligibility. Applications will continue to be accepted until the program has reached the maximum number of children who can be covered on State CHIP. With the available funding, we estimate the program will be able to cover up to 2,000 children. Once enrollment has closed, applications will not be accepted until the next open enrollment period.

Children who may be eligible have working parents and meet the following criteria:

Non-U.S. citizen who is not a lawfully permanent resident (LPR/Green Card holder)
Under the age of 19
Meet income guidelines (shown in the below table)
Not currently covered by health insurance
Not eligible for Medicaid or other CHIP benefits
Prior to the date of application, have been residing in Utah for at least 180 days

2023 Income Guidelines
Family Size	Maximum Gross Income Per Month	Maximum Gross Income Per Year
2 (single parent & one child)	$3,278	$39,444
3	$4,144	$49,728
4	$5,000	$60,000
5	$5,857	$70,284
6	$6,714	$80,568
7	$7,570	$90,840
8	$8,472	$101,124

Children who qualify will be enrolled in Utah’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and will receive comprehensive coverage that includes the following benefits:

Well-child exams
Immunizations
Doctor visits
Hospital and emergency care
Prescriptions
Hearing and eye exams
Mental health and substance use services
Dental care

Members will be required to pay the following costs out of their own pocket:

Up to $75 for a quarterly premium.
Co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles for some services. Members will not have to pay a co-pay for preventive care like well-child exams or immunizations.