Washington CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
Apple Health for Kids covers children under 19 in Washington state households with incomes at or below 215% of the Federal Poverty Level at no cost. Children in households above that level, up to a higher ceiling, can enroll in Apple Health for Kids with premiums — low-cost coverage available only to uninsured children. For a family of four, free coverage runs up to $5,913/month in household income; the highest premium tier runs up to $8,718/month.
215%
FPL — free coverage income threshold
Apple Health for Kids
Program name (combined Medicaid + CHIP)
Up to $60/mo
Family premium cap for higher-income children (2 tiers)
Washington has no separate CHIP card or application
Unlike most states, Washington does not have a separate CHIP card or enrollment process — all eligible children apply through Washington Healthplanfinder and receive Apple Health benefits. Coverage is free for kids in households at or below 215% of the Federal Poverty Level; children in higher-income households (up to roughly $8,718/month for a family of four in 2026) can get low-cost Apple Health for Kids with a small monthly premium.
Who qualifies for Apple Health for Kids
Source: Washington HCA "Children" eligibility page (hca.wa.gov), income standards subject to change annually every April.
- Child must be under age 19
- Family income at or below $5,913/month (family of 4) for free coverage, or up to $8,718/month (family of 4) for low-cost coverage with a premium
- Child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or qualified non-citizen
- Child must reside in Washington state
- Low-cost (premium) coverage is only available to uninsured children
| Household size | Free coverage — max monthly income | Premium coverage — max monthly income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,860 | $4,216 |
| 2 | $3,879 | $5,719 |
| 3 | $4,896 | $7,218 |
| 4 | $5,913 | $8,718 |
| 5 | $6,932 | $10,220 |
| 6 | $7,949 | $11,719 |
| 7 | $8,966 | $13,219 |
1
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $2,860
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $4,216
2
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $3,879
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $5,719
3
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $4,896
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $7,218
4
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $5,913
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $8,718
5
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $6,932
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $10,220
6
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $7,949
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $11,719
7
- Free coverage — max monthly income
- $8,966
- Premium coverage — max monthly income
- $13,219
No separate CHIP application — Apple Health for Kids covers all income-eligible children
In most states, CHIP is a distinct program with a separate application and often a different benefit package. Washington integrates CHIP funding into Apple Health for Kids — all children apply the same way regardless of income, and the system determines the appropriate funding source automatically.
There is no separate CHIP identification card or plan in Washington. Children enrolled through CHIP funding receive the same Apple Health managed care plans (Coordinated Care, Community Health Plan of Washington, Molina, United, Amerigroup) and the same benefit package as children enrolled through Medicaid.
What Apple Health for Kids covers
- Well-child checkups and immunizations
- Doctor visits and specialist referrals
- Prescriptions
- Emergency and urgent care
- Inpatient hospital care
- Mental health and substance use disorder services
- Dental care (full EPSDT scope under DentaQuest)
- Vision screenings and eyeglasses
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Orthodontics (when medically necessary)
Premiums and cost-sharing for Apple Health for Kids
Apple Health for Kids is free — no premiums or cost-sharing — for children in households at or below 215% FPL. Above that level, uninsured children can enroll in "Apple Health for Kids with premiums," which has two tiers: Tier 1 costs $20/month per child (family maximum $40/month), and Tier 2 costs $30/month per child (family maximum $60/month). Premium coverage is only available to children who are otherwise uninsured. Source: Washington HCA "Children" eligibility page (hca.wa.gov).
How to apply for Apple Health for Kids
Apply through Washington Healthplanfinder at wahealthplanfinder.org. Create an account, enter your household information, and the system will determine eligibility for Apple Health for Kids or, if income is above the limit, subsidized private plans through the marketplace.
You can also apply by phone at 1-855-923-4633 or in person at a DSHS Community Services Office. Applications are processed within 45 days; emergencies may qualify for faster processing.
Eligible children can apply for Apple Health for Kids regardless of their parents' immigration status. Parents do not need to provide their own Social Security numbers when applying only for their children's coverage. Washington HCA explicitly states this on its eligibility guidance pages.
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. In most states, it is a seamless part of the broader children's health coverage system alongside Medicaid.
Apple Health (Washington Medicaid)
- Apply for Apple Health for Kids: wahealthplanfinder.org
- Washington Apple Health phone line: 1-855-923-4633
- Washington HCA: hca.wa.gov
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