Kansas CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
HealthWave covers children under 19 who earn too much for KanCare Medicaid but are still within the 255% FPL limit, per the Kansas Legislative Research Department's 2026 briefing book. Kansas uses MAGI income rules for CHIP, and there is no asset test. At 255% FPL for a family of 4, the approximate monthly income limit is $6,832 (based on 2025 HHS poverty guidelines of $32,150/year for a family of 4).
255% FPL
HealthWave income limit
~$6,832/mo
Approx. limit, family of 4 (2025 FPL basis)
3 MCOs
Same KanCare plans used for HealthWave
HealthWave is Kansas's CHIP program, delivered through the same KanCare managed care plans
HealthWave is the name of Kansas's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), authorized by Title XXI of the Social Security Act. It covers children under 19 in families between the Medicaid income limit and 255% FPL, delivered through the same three KanCare managed care organizations used for Kansas Medicaid: Healthy Blue, Sunflower Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kansas. (Healthy Blue replaced Aetna Better Health of Kansas as one of the three KanCare MCOs in the state's most recent contract cycle.)
Who qualifies for HealthWave?
- Child must be under age 19
- Family income within 255% FPL (above the KanCare Medicaid threshold for children)
- Child must be a Kansas resident
- Child must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present immigrant
- Child must be uninsured — HealthWave is generally not available to children with access to affordable employer coverage
- No asset test
What HealthWave covers
HealthWave provides comprehensive child health benefits through the KanCare MCOs.
- Well-child preventive visits and immunizations
- Primary care visits
- Specialist visits
- Hospital care — inpatient and outpatient
- Prescription drugs
- Emergency care
- Dental services (comprehensive EPSDT)
- Vision care — exams and eyeglasses
- Mental health and substance use treatment
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Lab and diagnostic services
Cost sharing for HealthWave
HealthWave charges a monthly premium per household once income exceeds 166% FPL, per the Kansas Legislative Research Department. Below that, HealthWave is premium-free. Federal CHIP rules (42 USC 1397cc) cap total annual cost sharing at 5% of family income.
| Household income (FPL) | Monthly premium (per household) |
|---|---|
| Up to 166% FPL | $0 |
| 167%–191% FPL | $20 |
| 192%–218% FPL | $30 |
| 219%–255% FPL | $50 |
Up to 166% FPL
- Monthly premium (per household)
- $0
167%–191% FPL
- Monthly premium (per household)
- $20
192%–218% FPL
- Monthly premium (per household)
- $30
219%–255% FPL
- Monthly premium (per household)
- $50
For current HealthWave premium and copayment amounts, visit kancare.ks.gov or call 1-800-792-4884. If a family misses two months of premium payments, the account becomes delinquent and the child's CHIP coverage can end; a child whose coverage ends for delinquency cannot re-enroll for 90 days unless they qualify for Medicaid or the balance is paid.
Comparison: KanCare Medicaid vs. HealthWave CHIP
Medicaid children's income percentage is approximate; verify exact KanCare Medicaid threshold with KDHE.
| Feature | KanCare Medicaid (children) | HealthWave CHIP |
|---|---|---|
| Income range | Up to ~100% FPL | Above Medicaid limit to 255% FPL |
| Premium | No | $0–$50/month per household, rising with income above 166% FPL |
| Benefits | Full Medicaid (EPSDT) | Comprehensive CHIP benefit package |
| MCOs | Healthy Blue, Sunflower, UHC | Same — Healthy Blue, Sunflower, UHC |
| Application | KEES portal | Same KEES portal |
Income range
- KanCare Medicaid (children)
- Up to ~100% FPL
- HealthWave CHIP
- Above Medicaid limit to 255% FPL
Premium
- KanCare Medicaid (children)
- No
- HealthWave CHIP
- $0–$50/month per household, rising with income above 166% FPL
Benefits
- KanCare Medicaid (children)
- Full Medicaid (EPSDT)
- HealthWave CHIP
- Comprehensive CHIP benefit package
MCOs
- KanCare Medicaid (children)
- Healthy Blue, Sunflower, UHC
- HealthWave CHIP
- Same — Healthy Blue, Sunflower, UHC
Application
- KanCare Medicaid (children)
- KEES portal
- HealthWave CHIP
- Same KEES portal
How to apply for HealthWave
Apply through the KEES portal at cssp.kees.ks.gov/apspssp/ or by calling 1-800-792-4884. The same application covers both KanCare Medicaid and HealthWave — the system determines eligibility automatically.
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.
KanCare (Kansas Medicaid)
- KEES online application: cssp.kees.ks.gov/apspssp/
- KanCare / HealthWave phone line: 1-800-792-4884
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