Medicaid Office

North Dakota CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Updated August 2026

North Dakota CHIP provides health coverage for uninsured children whose family income is above the Medicaid threshold but at or below 205% of the Federal Poverty Level.

205% FPL

North Dakota CHIP upper income limit

$5,638/month

Income limit for a family of 4 (April 2026)

SFN 1909

Joint Medicaid/CHIP application form

Most North Dakota CHIP families pay no premium

There is no separate premium for most North Dakota CHIP families at the standard income levels. Some cost-sharing applies at higher income bands, but annual family out-of-pocket costs are capped at 5% of family income under federal CHIP rules.

What is North Dakota CHIP?

North Dakota CHIP provides the same insurance coverage as Medicaid for children. Per ND HHS, "although CHIP and ND Medicaid are different coverage groups, the insurance coverage is the same." Both programs provide EPSDT-equivalent comprehensive coverage, including dental and vision.

Who qualifies for North Dakota CHIP

North Dakota CHIP is designed for working families whose income exceeds the Medicaid limit for children but who cannot afford private health insurance. The child must be uninsured — children who have other credible health insurance do not qualify.

  • Child must be 18 years of age or younger (or a single 18-year-old meeting income limits)
  • Must be a North Dakota resident
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen
  • Must not have other credible health insurance coverage
  • Family income must exceed the Medicaid level and be at or below 205% FPL
  • Monthly income limit for a family of 4: $5,638 (April 2026)

CHIP income limits for North Dakota (April 2026)

Income levels include the 5% income disregard per ACA. Add $971/month ($11,644/year) for each additional person beyond 10. These figures are MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) limits, per ND HHS.

1

Monthly income limit
$2,727
Annual income limit
$32,718

2

Monthly income limit
$3,697
Annual income limit
$44,362

3

Monthly income limit
$4,668
Annual income limit
$56,006

4

Monthly income limit
$5,638
Annual income limit
$67,650

5

Monthly income limit
$6,608
Annual income limit
$79,294

6

Monthly income limit
$7,579
Annual income limit
$90,938

7

Monthly income limit
$8,549
Annual income limit
$102,582

8

Monthly income limit
$9,519
Annual income limit
$114,226

9

Monthly income limit
$10,490
Annual income limit
$125,870

10

Monthly income limit
$11,460
Annual income limit
$137,514

CHIP benefits in North Dakota

  • Well-child visits and Health Tracks developmental screenings
  • Immunizations
  • Doctor visits, specialist referrals
  • Emergency and urgent care
  • Inpatient hospital care
  • Prescription drugs
  • Dental care (comprehensive)
  • Vision exams and eyeglasses
  • Mental health and substance use services
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

How to apply for North Dakota CHIP

Apply using Form SFN 1909 (Application for Health Care Coverage), available at hhs.nd.gov/healthcare/medicaid/apply. This is the form specifically for children's health coverage and pregnant women — it screens for both Medicaid and CHIP with a single application.

You can also call (866) 614-6005, email applyforhelp@nd.gov, or visit a local Human Service Zone office. Applications are processed within 45 days under federal rules. If your child's income qualifies for Medicaid (below the Medicaid threshold), the system will route them to Medicaid automatically — CHIP is for children whose income falls between the Medicaid limit and 205% FPL.

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.

North Dakota Medicaid

  • ND HHS application portal: hhs.nd.gov/healthcare/medicaid/apply
  • ND HHS CHIP phone line: (866) 614-6005
  • ND HHS email: applyforhelp@nd.gov
  • ND HHS mailing address: ND HHS, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505
Visit the official North Dakota Medicaid website

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