Medicaid and CHIP Coverage of Lawfully Residing Children & Pregnant Individuals

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) included a new option for states to provide Medicaid and CHIP coverage to children and pregnant individuals who are lawfully residing in the United States, including those within their first five years of having certain legal status. Previously, federal law required a 5-year waiting period before many legal immigrants were permitted to enroll in Medicaid and CHIP, although many states offered health coverage to these populations with state-only funds. This coverage may be applied to pregnant individuals in Medicaid and CHIP and/or to children up to age 19 for CHIP or up to age 21 for Medicaid who would otherwise be eligible for coverage through these programs.

Learn more about providing health coverage to lawfully residing children and pregnant women.

States providing Medicaid or CHIP coverage to lawfully residing children and/or pregnant individuals include: