Medicaid Office

Michigan CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Updated August 2026

MIChild is Michigan's separate CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. It covers children whose household income is above the Michigan Medicaid threshold for children but not high enough to afford private insurance. MIChild is administered by MDHHS and funded jointly by the state and federal government, with a higher federal match rate than standard Medicaid.

212% FPL

Michigan Medicaid / MIChild income ceiling

$0

MIChild monthly premium (eliminated Jan. 1, 2024)

MI Bridges

Application portal

Michigan's CHIP program is called MIChild — it no longer charges a premium

As of January 1, 2024, MDHHS eliminated MIChild's monthly premium — coverage is now free, with no co-pays. Coverage and benefits are comparable to Medicaid. The same MI Bridges application evaluates children for both programs simultaneously.

What is MIChild?

Michigan Medicaid covers children up to 212% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children between the lower Medicaid threshold and 212% FPL are enrolled in Medicaid directly; children who do not meet Medicaid income criteria but need coverage may qualify for MIChild up to 212% FPL. In practice, the Michigan Medicaid income limit for children and the MIChild eligibility ceiling overlap in the same 212% FPL range — MDHHS determines which program applies based on the specific household's situation.

Approximately 60,000–80,000 Michigan children are enrolled in MIChild at any given time, per MDHHS program data. The program has operated continuously since 1998.

Who qualifies for MIChild?

To enroll in MIChild, a child must meet all of these criteria:

  • Under age 19
  • Michigan resident
  • Household income above the Michigan Medicaid threshold for children but at or below 212% FPL
  • Not eligible for Michigan Medicaid (MIChild is secondary to Medicaid)
  • Not covered by other Michigan state employee health plans
  • U.S. citizen or qualifying immigration status — MIChild follows federal CHIP citizenship requirements

What MIChild covers

MIChild benefits are comparable to Michigan Medicaid for children.

  • Physician visits — preventive well-child checkups and sick visits
  • Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
  • Emergency room and urgent care
  • Prescription drugs on the Michigan Medicaid formulary
  • Dental care through Delta Dental of Michigan (DeltaCare Michigan Medicaid)
  • Vision — eye exams and eyeglasses
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy when medically necessary
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Lab and X-ray services

MIChild and the EPSDT benefit

On January 1, 2016, MDHHS converted MIChild into a Medicaid expansion program. The MIChild name is still used, but enrollees became eligible for the full range of Medicaid-covered services rather than a separate, more limited CHIP benefit package. Per MDHHS's official transition guidance, this resolved the earlier gap between MIChild and standard Medicaid — MIChild children now receive the same comprehensive coverage, including expanded benefits such as non-emergency medical transportation, podiatry, and expanded school-based and well-child services that were added as part of the 2016 conversion.

MIChild premiums and cost sharing

As of January 1, 2024, MDHHS eliminated the MIChild monthly premium — families no longer pay to enroll a child in MIChild, per MDHHS's official MIChild FAQ and its CHIP state plan amendment (SPA 24-0001) ending premiums for children with family income between 160% and 212% FPL.

MIChild does not charge co-pays for covered services.

Children enrolled in Michigan Medicaid (below the MIChild income tier) also pay no premium and no copays.

How to apply for MIChild

Apply through MI Bridges at newmibridges.michigan.gov. The same application that evaluates household members for Michigan Medicaid also evaluates children for MIChild. There is no separate MIChild application form. MDHHS determines which program each child qualifies for based on income and other criteria.

Families can also apply by calling 1-855-275-6424 or visiting a local MDHHS service office.

Michigan Medicaid vs MIChild: how they compare

The practical difference is minimal — both use the same MCOs and same Delta Dental benefit. The main difference is the income band; both programs are now premium-free.

Income range

Michigan Medicaid (children)
Below MIChild threshold
MIChild (CHIP)
160% – 212% FPL

Monthly premium

Michigan Medicaid (children)
$0
MIChild (CHIP)
$0 (eliminated Jan. 1, 2024)

Dental benefit

Michigan Medicaid (children)
Delta Dental of Michigan
MIChild (CHIP)
Delta Dental of Michigan

MCO delivery

Michigan Medicaid (children)
Regional MCOs by county
MIChild (CHIP)
Same regional MCOs

Immigration requirement

Michigan Medicaid (children)
Citizens and lawfully present
MIChild (CHIP)
Citizens and lawfully present

MIChild vs CHIP in neighboring states

Upper income limit

Michigan MIChild
212% FPL
Ohio Healthy Start
300% FPL
Illinois All Kids
318% FPL

Monthly premium

Michigan MIChild
$0 (eliminated Jan. 1, 2024)
Ohio Healthy Start
Low (income-based)
Illinois All Kids
$0–$105/child (tiered)

Immigration status

Michigan MIChild
Citizens / lawfully present
Ohio Healthy Start
Citizens / lawfully present
Illinois All Kids
Any (all children)

Dental included

Michigan MIChild
Yes (Delta Dental)
Ohio Healthy Start
Yes (DentaQuest)
Illinois All Kids
Yes (DentaQuest)

Michigan Medicaid

  • MI Bridges application portal: newmibridges.michigan.gov
  • MDHHS phone line: 1-855-275-6424
Visit the official Michigan Medicaid website

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