Arizona CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
KidsCare is Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program, covering children under 19 whose family income is above the AHCCCS Medicaid limit but at or below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level. Per the AHCCCS KidsCare Income Limits chart (effective 02/01/2025, still current as of this writing), the monthly income limit for KidsCare is $2,993 for a household of 1 and $6,188 for a household of 4.
225% FPL
KidsCare income limit
KidsCare
Arizona's CHIP program name
$0 (paused)
KidsCare monthly premium — stopped until further notice
Apply even if a parent is undocumented
Eligible children can apply for KidsCare regardless of the immigration status of their parents. Parents do not need to provide their own Social Security numbers or immigration documents when applying only for a child's coverage. This is an explicit AHCCCS policy.
Who qualifies for KidsCare
KidsCare covers uninsured children under 19 who live in Arizona and whose household income is above the AHCCCS Medicaid limit but at or below 225% FPL. The program applies the same application process as AHCCCS — a single application through Health-e-Arizona Plus determines whether a child qualifies for AHCCCS Medicaid or KidsCare CHIP.
- Child must be under age 19
- Family income above AHCCCS Medicaid limit and at or below 225% FPL
- Monthly income limit: approximately $2,993 for household of 1; $6,188 for household of 4 (AHCCCS chart effective 02/01/2025)
- Child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or qualified non-citizen
- Child must reside in Arizona
- Child must not be enrolled in AHCCCS Medicaid or other creditable government coverage
- State employees and their children are not eligible
KidsCare premiums and cost-sharing
Per AHCCCS's official KidsCare page, monthly premiums for the KidsCare program have been stopped until further notice — families currently pay no monthly premium to enroll. Check azahcccs.gov for the current status before assuming this remains in effect, since AHCCCS could reinstate premiums.
Total annual out-of-pocket costs for KidsCare families remain capped under federal CHIP rules regardless of whether premiums are currently being charged.
What KidsCare covers
KidsCare provides comprehensive children's health benefits equivalent to EPSDT, covering the same categories of services as AHCCCS Medicaid for children — delivered through AHCCCS Contractor Health Plans.
- Well-child visits and immunizations
- Doctor visits and specialist referrals
- Prescriptions
- Emergency and urgent care
- Inpatient hospital care
- Mental health services
- Dental care (full scope, including orthodontics when medically necessary)
- Vision care and eyeglasses
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
KidsCare vs. AHCCCS: income limits side by side
Children at or below 133% FPL qualify for AHCCCS Medicaid (no premium). Children above 133% and at or below 225% FPL qualify for KidsCare CHIP (with a monthly premium of $10–$70).
| Program | FPL % | Monthly limit (hh of 4) |
|---|---|---|
| AHCCCS Medicaid (children 6–18) | 133% | $3,658/mo |
| KidsCare (CHIP) | 225% | $6,188/mo |
AHCCCS Medicaid (children 6–18)
- FPL %
- 133%
- Monthly limit (hh of 4)
- $3,658/mo
KidsCare (CHIP)
- FPL %
- 225%
- Monthly limit (hh of 4)
- $6,188/mo
What CHIP is
CHIP — the Children's Health Insurance Program — is a federal-state partnership that covers children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. Congress created CHIP in 1997 under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, and each state administers its own program.
CHIP serves children up to age 19 (some states cover to 21 for children in foster care). It is not available to adults — CHIP is specifically designed to address the coverage gap for children in working families.
Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data. In most states, it is a seamless part of the broader children's health coverage system alongside Medicaid.
How to apply for KidsCare
Apply for KidsCare through Health-e-Arizona Plus at healthearizonaplus.gov. The same application covers both AHCCCS Medicaid and KidsCare CHIP — the system automatically determines which program your child qualifies for based on household income.
You can also apply by calling 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587) or by visiting a DES Family Assistance Office in your county. Applications are typically processed within 45 days.
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
- Health-e-Arizona Plus (apply for KidsCare): healthearizonaplus.gov
- AHCCCS KidsCare phone: 1-855-432-7587
- AHCCCS: azahcccs.gov
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