Iowa CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
Hawk-i (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) is Iowa's Title XXI CHIP program for children from birth through age 18. Hawk-i covers children in families that earn too much to qualify for Iowa Traditional Medicaid but whose income is at or below 302% of the Federal Poverty Level — $99,660 per year for a family of four, per Iowa HHS's 2026 Hawki Income Guidelines.
302% FPL
Hawk-i income limit
$40/mo family max
Hawk-i premium cap
133–302% FPL
Hawk-i income band
Hawk-i is Iowa's separate CHIP program, capped at $40 per family per month
Hawk-i (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) is Iowa's Title XXI CHIP program for children from birth through age 18, covering families that earn too much for Traditional Medicaid but are at or below 302% of the Federal Poverty Level. Unlike some states, Iowa runs Hawk-i as a standalone program with its own premium structure rather than folding it into Medicaid — though the maximum premium is just $40 per family per month.
What is Hawk-i?
Iowa operates Hawk-i as a separate CHIP program rather than a Medicaid expansion CHIP. This means Hawk-i has its own premium structure, and children in the Hawk-i income tier receive Hawk-i benefits rather than full Traditional Medicaid benefits — though Hawk-i's benefits are comprehensive and closely mirror Medicaid.
A single application at abe.iowa.gov screens a child for both Traditional Medicaid and Hawk-i eligibility simultaneously. Families don't need to determine which program applies in advance.
Hawk-i income limits and premiums
Hawk-i covers children in households with income from just above the Iowa Medicaid limit up to 302% FPL. For a family of four, per Iowa HHS's 2026 Hawki Income Guidelines: households earning up to $55,110/year qualify for free Medicaid; $55,111–$59,730/year qualify for free Hawki; $59,731–$80,190/year qualify for Hawki at $10 per child per month (no family pays more than $20/month); and $80,191–$99,660/year qualify for Hawki at $20 per child per month (no family pays more than $40/month). Income limits scale by household size and update annually — verify current limits at hhs.iowa.gov or by calling 1-800-257-8563.
Hawk-i charges a small monthly premium once household income rises above the free-coverage tier. Per Iowa HHS, no family pays more than $40 per month total, regardless of how many children are enrolled. Federal rules separately cap total CHIP cost-sharing at 5% of family income annually.
What Hawk-i covers
Hawk-i provides comprehensive coverage for children. Children in Hawk-i are covered by the federal EPSDT mandate (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)) for services crossing into Medicaid.
- Well-child visits and preventive care
- Immunizations per the CDC schedule at no additional cost
- Vision — eye exams and eyeglasses
- Dental — comprehensive children's dental coverage through the Iowa Medicaid dental program
- Hearing screenings and hearing aids when medically necessary
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Prescription medications
- Hospital care, specialist referrals, and laboratory services
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy when medically necessary
Hawk-i managed care
Most Hawk-i members are enrolled in one of Iowa's three Medicaid managed care organizations — Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, or Wellpoint Iowa. MCOs coordinate medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits for enrolled children.
Hawk-i dental benefits are separate from the MCO medical benefit. Starting July 1, 2026, Iowa Medicaid dental is administered through a member's choice of Delta Dental of Iowa or DentaQuest — this applies to Hawk-i members as well as Traditional Medicaid members. Contact Iowa HHS at 1-800-338-8366 or the dedicated Hawk-i helpline at 1-800-257-8563 for details about your child's dental plan options.
How to apply for Hawk-i
Apply at abe.iowa.gov or call the Iowa Hawk-i helpline at 1-800-257-8563. A single application screens a child for both Traditional Medicaid and Hawk-i eligibility simultaneously. Iowa Medicaid enrollment is open year-round.
What CHIP is nationally
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. Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data.
Iowa Medicaid
- Hawk-i / abe.iowa.gov application: abe.iowa.gov
- Iowa Hawk-i helpline: 1-800-257-8563
- Iowa HHS Medicaid dental line: 1-800-338-8366
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