Premium assistance under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from its Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children are not eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you will not be eligible for these premium assistance programs, but you may be able to buy individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, you can contact your state Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.
If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877-KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, ask your state if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.
If you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, as well as eligible under UC’s plan, UC will permit you to enroll in UC’s plan, if you are not already enrolled. This is called a “special enrollment” opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance.
Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
Website: https://dhcs.ca.gov/hipp
Phone: 916-445-8322
Fax: 916-440-5676
Email: hipp@dhcs.ca.gov
If you live outside of California, please see the Model Notice for Employers Regarding Premium Assistance Opportunities (PDF) on dol.gov for a list of states that currently provide premium assistance. The list is effective as of January 1, 2024, and includes contact information.
To see if any other states have added a premium assistance program since January 31, 2024, or for more information on special enrollment rights, contact either:
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa
1-866-444-EBSA (3272)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services www.cms.hhs.gov
1-877-267-2323, Menu Option 4, Ext. 61565