Health Insurance: Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act

Availability of health services is critical to every family, including families involved with the child welfare system. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are two Federal-State health insurance and services programs for low-income children, youth, and families. Additionally, child welfare professionals are also encouraged to partner with Medicaid in order to increase health care coverage for child welfare-involved children and youth.

• Medicaid
• CHIP
• Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Medicaid

Bringing Medicaid and Managed Care Partners Into the Implementation Process (PDF - 1,321 KB)
Child Welfare League of America (2019)
Assists child welfare professionals in understanding how to partner with Medicaid programs in order to provide services to children and youth in the child welfare system.

How Can Medicaid-Funded Services Support Children, Youth, and Families Involved With Child Protection? 
Casey Family Programs (2020) 
Describes Medicaid financing, what Medicaid covers, and explores services funded through Medicaid for children and youth involved with the child welfare system. These services include screening and assessment, home- and community-based services, intensive care coordination, mobile crisis response services, and others. 

How Can Medicaid Services and Plans Address Vulnerable Children's Health Care Needs?
Casey Family Programs (2019)
Presents a webinar series that provides an overview of Medicaid and how Medicaid services and supports can meet the needs of children and families involved with the child welfare system. The webinar features three separate sessions and is designed for child welfare professionals. 

How Can Medicaid Support the Treatment Costs for Youth in Residential Programs? 
Casey Family Programs (2020) 
Explores the use of Medicaid benefits that support residential treatment services for children and youth, such as psychiatric inpatient treatment and rehabilitation services. The resource also discusses the limitations of Medicaid financing. 

Income Levels and Savings
Healthcare.gov
Provides a guide for users to estimate their eligibility for Medicaid based on their household size, State location, and income.

Medicaid Program
Benefits.gov
Discusses the eligibility requirements as well as the benefits included, via Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid Benefits: Online Database
Medicaid.gov
An interactive database with information provided by each State's Medicaid program. Includes details on benefits, limits, co-payments, and reimbursement methods.

State Overviews
Medicaid.gov
Provides State-specific information about Medicaid benefits and coverage, including ratings about the quality of care in each State.

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CHIP

Children’s Health Insurance Program
Medicaid.gov
Provides resources detailing the coverage, eligibility, and costs associated with various State-specific CHIP programs.

Find Coverage for Your Family
Insure Kids Now
Provides state-specific information about medical professionals who accept CHIP and Medicaid benefits.

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Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Affordable Care Act Integration
National Association of Social Workers
Discusses the impact of the Affordable Care Act and the role that social work professionals play in ensuring effective health care service delivery.

Connecting Child, Youth, and Families to Health-Care Coverage
Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative
Provides resources to support the enrollment in and access to services provided by the Affordable Care Act.

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