Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is eligible for Kid Care CHIP?
Anyone who meets the following criteria:
• Children up to the month they turn 19.
• A US Citizen or lawful permanent resident who has lived in the US for 5 years or more. An alien registration number is required
• Wyoming resident
• Not eligible for EqualityCare (Medicaid)
• No insurance for 30 days prior to applying, unless insurance was
involuntarily canceled
• Is not placed in a public institution
• Is not a dependent of State employees (per Federal law)
• Meets income guidelines
Who can apply for Kid Care CHIP?
Parents, grandparents, siblings, other family members, and foster parents may apply as long as the child(ren) lives with you at least 50% of the time.
How much does Kid Care CHIP cost?
Families will have minimal cost sharing (small co-payments on most services: $5 per office visit, outpatient services, ER visits (unless the child is admitted to the hospital then the $5 is waived), brand drugs, and $3 co-payment for generic drugs.) There are no co-payments for vision or dental services. There are no co-payments for Native Americans or Alaskan natives.
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Are there pre-existing condition restrictions
affiliated with Kid Care CHIP?
There are no pre-existing condition restrictions for someone enrolling in Kid Care CHIP.
Where can I get an application?
You can pickup an application at your local public health nusring office, WIC, Indian Health Services, Department of Family Services, schools, or by calling Kid Care CHIP at 1-877-KIDSNOW (543-7669).
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What do I have to fill out on the
application to apply for Kid Care CHIP?
Please answer all questions on the application. We use Gross Income (income before taxes or deductions are taken out). Please complete the application in full to avoid any delay in processing.
Can I take in or mail in my completed application?
You can mail the application to Kid Care CHIP 6101 Yellowstone Rd, Suite 210, Cheyenne, WY 82002. You can also take it to your local Department of Family Services office.
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What if I have health insurance for my child with a private company?
If your child has been insured by private health insurance 30 days prior to the time you have applied for Kid Care CHIP, your child will not be eligible. Programs which are not considered private insurance are the Public Health programs such as Children’s Special Health Services or Dental Health Services, Indian Health Services or the school's accidental insurance program. There are some exceptions.
The health insurance currently covering my children covers a lot of their needs except eyes and dental. Can I just sign-up for these two services?
No, you cannot just sign-up for these two services.
Do I need proof of income for Kid Care CHIP?
No, however, the State reserves the right to investigate income randomly.
Do I need to supply a copy of a birth certificate or my child’s Social Security card for Kid Care CHIP?
No, Kid Care CHIP does not require a copy.
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How soon is paperwork processed and notice
of eligibility sent out?
The Department of Health determines eligibility for Kid Care CHIP. Within 14 working days you should receive a letter informing you of your eligibility determination.
Do I include my 18-year old that is at college in my family count?
Yes, until (s)he turns 19 years of age.
Can my 18-year old child apply for her or himself?
Yes, they are considered an adult at age 18.
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If an 18 year old is living with his or her parents, does the parents’ income count? No, the child is considered an adult and can apply for him or herself.
Do I include my 18-year old’s job income in my family income?
Yes.
After my child has been determined eligible for Kid Care CHIP what happens next?
The Department of Health will send a letter informing the parent that their child is eligible for the Kid Care CHIP program and the insurance start date. Blue Cross Blue Shield will send a packet that will include the following items: Parent Handbook, Provider Directory, Subscription Agreement, BCBS Kid Care CHIP card and Delta Dental card.
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How long is a child eligible for Kid Care CHIP once eligibility is determined? Kid Care CHIP'S eligibility is for 12 continuous months with the following exceptions:
• Becomes eligible for family Medicaid, Pregnant Women's Program, or SSI.
• Is placed in foster care.
• Turns age 19.
• Is placed in a public institution.
• Moves out of the state of Wyoming.
• Family fails Quality Control.
How do I reapply for Kid Care CHIP once my 12 months
of eligibility are finished?
Sixty days (60) prior to your child’s end date a letter and a Renewal Form will be sent to you by Kid Care CHIP. You will need to complete the form - your name, address, family members name, income, insurance and other information, sign it and mail the form back to Kid Care CHIP by the date specified on the renewal form. If we haven’t received the Renewal Form within the allotted time, the child’s coverage will be terminated. Once you return the form, Kid Care CHIP will send you a letter informing you if you are eligible or not.
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Does Kid Care CHIP cover athletic physicals?
Yes, if a Kid Care CHIP provider does the physical.
If a family is caring for children, related or unrelated, on an informal (not foster care) basis, can the head of household apply for these children?
Yes, anyone can apply on behalf of the child. In this situation, only the children’s income will be counted.
Can a runaway, homeless or emancipated teen apply for herself/himself?
Yes. A teen that is living independently of his or her parents may apply for Kid Care CHIP.
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What happens if a card expires and a family
doesn’t renew on time?
The family will have to reapply for Kid Care CHIP.
My children are enrolled in Indian Health Services, can they still qualify for Kid Care CHIP?
Yes, they still may qualify. You will need to complete an application.
Are my children covered while traveling out of state? Ask the medical provider if he/she is a Kid Care CHIP provider. If they are not, then they will need to contact Blue Cross Blue Shield at 1-800-209-9720. If they become a Kid Care CHIP provider they will be reimbursed, if they do not then the family will be responsible for the expenses incurred.
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If I qualify for the program, will it pay for outstanding medical bills? Kid Care CHIP will pay for bills incurred during the month eligibility begins. Kid Care CHIP does not go back and pay for any previous bills.
Does Kid Care CHIP cover braces?
No, braces are not a covered benefit. Please contact Dental Health Services at 307-777-7947 or your local PHN for an application.
What are the citizenship requirements for eligibility for Kid Care CHIP?
The child must be a United States citizen or a lawful permanent non-citizen who has lived in the US for 5 years or more. An alien registration number and date of entry is required at time of who has application.
Is the child support I receive counted as income?
Yes, child support you receive is counted as income.
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Are children of state employees eligible for Kid Care CHIP? If the parent is a state employee and has access to the state health insurance the child(ren) is not eligible for Kid Care CHIP, per federal law, whether they have the insurance through the state or not. If the parent is an AWEC employee they can apply for Kid Care CHIP.
My 6 and 9-year-old children are eligible for Kid Care CHIP but my 3-year-old is considered to be “potentially eligible for EqualityCare (Medicaid). Why can’t I have all three enrolled under Kid Care CHIP?
Federal regulations require that all children be screened for Medicaid eligibility before being determined eligible for Kid Care CHIP. If a child is “potentially eligible for EqualityCare (Medicaid)” based on the information provided, the application is forwarded to the local Department of Family Services. The Department of Family Services determines whether the child is eligible for Medicaid coverage.
It is common for children younger than 6 to be EqualityCare (Medicaid) eligible while their older siblings are eligible for Kid Care CHIP. This occurs because the Medicaid income guidelines are 133% of poverty for children ages 0 through 5 and 100% of poverty for children age 6 and older. Example: Family’s countable income is 125% of poverty; the 3-year-old is EqualityCare (Medicaid) eligible (i.e., income is less than 133% of poverty) and the 6- and 9-year-olds are not EqualityCare (Medicaid) eligible (i.e., income exceeds 100% of poverty). They would be Kid Care CHIP eligible.
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