How to Sign Up for Children’s Health Insurance Program

By The Montana Standard, Butte

Oct. 28–HELENA — If you’re on a tight budget and your kids are without health insurance, you may be able to cover them for free, under the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Families may be eligible if they earn up to 150 percent of the federal “poverty level.” The income threshold is $19,245 for a family of two; $24,135 for a family of three; and $29,025 for a family of four.

Here’s how to inquire about the program and sign up, if you’re eligible:

–Visit the state’s Web site at www.chip.mt.gov, where you can get an application, fill it out and submit it.

–Call the state’s toll-free CHIP hot line at (877) 543-7669, or, in Helena, at 444-6971.

–Contact Working for Economic Equality and Liberation (WEEL), a private advocacy group, at (888) 543-2530. WEEL helps people fill out the four-page application.

–Application forms should be available at many Indian health clinics, food banks, Head Start and county health departments.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Montana Standard, Butte

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