Georgia CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
PeachCare for Kids is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), the same agency that runs Georgia Medicaid. DCH contracts with Care Management Organizations (CMOs) to deliver services — the same Amerigroup Georgia, Peach State Health Management, WellCare of Georgia, and CareSource Georgia that serve Georgia Medicaid enrollees.
133–247% FPL
PeachCare income range
$11–$36/mo (cap $16–$72/family)
PeachCare monthly premium by income
4 CMOs
Same managed care plans as Georgia Medicaid
PeachCare for Kids is Georgia's separate CHIP program
Georgia operates PeachCare for Kids® as a distinct Children's Health Insurance Program funded under CHIP Title XXI. It covers children in households earning too much for standard Georgia Medicaid but below 247% of the Federal Poverty Level. Premiums are charged on a sliding scale from $11 to $36 per child per month (family cap $16–$72), per the Georgia DFCS Medicaid Policy Manual; children under age 6, children in foster care, and American Indian/Alaska Native children pay no premium or copay. A single application through Georgia Gateway at gateway.ga.gov evaluates your child for both Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare simultaneously — you do not need to know in advance which program your child will be placed in.
What PeachCare for Kids covers and who runs it
PeachCare provides comprehensive coverage, including full dental care under the EPSDT mandate — a notable contrast with adult Georgia Medicaid, which is limited to emergency-only dental. Children in PeachCare receive cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and medically necessary orthodontics.
- Primary care and preventive well-child visits
- Specialist visits with a referral from the primary care provider
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Emergency room and urgent care visits
- Prescription drug coverage through the CMO formulary
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Vision care — routine eye exams and corrective lenses
- Hearing services
- Comprehensive dental care (EPSDT standard for all children under 21)
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy (when medically necessary)
Who qualifies for PeachCare for Kids
PeachCare covers children ages 0–18 in households with income between the standard Georgia Medicaid threshold and 247% of the Federal Poverty Level. In practice, children in households below approximately 133% FPL are placed in Georgia Medicaid (not PeachCare), and children between 133% and 247% FPL are placed in PeachCare. The same application determines which program applies.
- Child must be under age 19
- Georgia resident
- U.S. citizen, national, or eligible immigration status
- Not covered by other comprehensive health insurance (employer-sponsored coverage, marketplace plan, or other Medicaid)
- Household income at or below 247% FPL
Unlike some CHIP programs, Georgia does not impose a waiting period for children who had recent employer-sponsored insurance. A child who recently lost other coverage can apply immediately.
PeachCare premiums and cost sharing
PeachCare charges a monthly premium on a sliding scale based on household income, per the Georgia DFCS Medicaid Policy Manual (Policy 2194).
| Household income (FPL) | Monthly premium (1 child) | Family cap (2+ children) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ~133% FPL | $0 | Georgia Medicaid (not PeachCare) |
| 134%–158% FPL | $11.00 | $16.00 |
| 159%–170% FPL | $22.00 | $44.00 |
| 171%–190% FPL | $24.00 | $49.00 |
| 191%–210% FPL | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| 211%–231% FPL | $32.00 | $64.00 |
| 232%–247% FPL | $36.00 | $72.00 |
Up to ~133% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $0
- Family cap (2+ children)
- Georgia Medicaid (not PeachCare)
134%–158% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $11.00
- Family cap (2+ children)
- $16.00
159%–170% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $22.00
- Family cap (2+ children)
- $44.00
171%–190% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $24.00
- Family cap (2+ children)
- $49.00
191%–210% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $29.00
- Family cap (2+ children)
- $58.00
211%–231% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $32.00
- Family cap (2+ children)
- $64.00
232%–247% FPL
- Monthly premium (1 child)
- $36.00
- Family cap (2+ children)
- $72.00
Premiums range from $11 to $36 per child per month, with a family cap between $16 and $72 depending on income tier. Federal CHIP law prohibits total premiums and cost-sharing that exceed 5% of household income for any family enrolled in CHIP. Children under age 6, children in foster care, and American Indian/Alaska Native children are exempt from PeachCare premiums and copays entirely.
How to apply for PeachCare for Kids
Apply through Georgia Gateway at gateway.ga.gov. The single application screens for Georgia Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, SNAP, and other programs. You do not need to specify that you want PeachCare — the system routes your child to the correct program based on income.
You can also apply by phone at 1-877-423-4746 or in person at your county DFCS office. Have your child's birth certificate, Social Security number, and proof of household income ready.
After approval, DCH sends enrollment materials and a plan selection notice. You choose one of the four CMOs for your child's coverage, or DCH auto-assigns one. Your child receives a member card from the CMO within a few weeks. For plan comparison help, call the enrollment broker at 1-888-423-6765.
Georgia Medicaid vs PeachCare for Kids: how they compare
The practical difference for families is minimal — both programs use the same CMOs and cover the same essential services. Income determines which program applies.
| Feature | Georgia Medicaid (children) | PeachCare for Kids (CHIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Income range | 0% – ~133% FPL | 133% – 247% FPL |
| Monthly premium | $0 | $11–$36/child/month, sliding scale (family cap $16–$72) |
| Delivered by | 4 CMOs (Georgia Families) | Same 4 CMOs (Georgia Families) |
| Dental coverage | Full EPSDT | Full EPSDT |
| Funding source | Federal Medicaid / state match | Federal CHIP Title XXI / state match |
Income range
- Georgia Medicaid (children)
- 0% – ~133% FPL
- PeachCare for Kids (CHIP)
- 133% – 247% FPL
Monthly premium
- Georgia Medicaid (children)
- $0
- PeachCare for Kids (CHIP)
- $11–$36/child/month, sliding scale (family cap $16–$72)
Delivered by
- Georgia Medicaid (children)
- 4 CMOs (Georgia Families)
- PeachCare for Kids (CHIP)
- Same 4 CMOs (Georgia Families)
Dental coverage
- Georgia Medicaid (children)
- Full EPSDT
- PeachCare for Kids (CHIP)
- Full EPSDT
Funding source
- Georgia Medicaid (children)
- Federal Medicaid / state match
- PeachCare for Kids (CHIP)
- Federal CHIP Title XXI / state match
PeachCare for Kids vs CHIP in neighboring states
Comparison approximate as of 2025.
| Feature | Georgia PeachCare | NC Health Choice | Florida KidCare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper income limit | 247% FPL | 210% FPL | 210% FPL |
| Age range | Birth through 18 | Ages 6–18 | Ages 1–18 |
| Monthly premium | Small (income-based) | Small (income-based) | $15–$276/mo |
| Dental included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Upper income limit
- Georgia PeachCare
- 247% FPL
- NC Health Choice
- 210% FPL
- Florida KidCare
- 210% FPL
Age range
- Georgia PeachCare
- Birth through 18
- NC Health Choice
- Ages 6–18
- Florida KidCare
- Ages 1–18
Monthly premium
- Georgia PeachCare
- Small (income-based)
- NC Health Choice
- Small (income-based)
- Florida KidCare
- $15–$276/mo
Dental included
- Georgia PeachCare
- Yes
- NC Health Choice
- Yes
- Florida KidCare
- Yes
Georgia Medicaid
- Georgia Gateway: gateway.ga.gov
- Georgia Gateway phone: 1-877-423-4746
- PeachCare enrollment broker: 1-888-423-6765
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