While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides comprehensive free or low-cost healthcare benefits to children whose parents or guardians do not qualify for Medicaid. CHIP is a federal program, and each state/territory has flexibility to design their own CHIP program within federal guidelines. Therefore, CHIP benefits may differ in each state/territory.
CHIP benefits may include annual check-ups, hospital visits, dental insurance, vision insurance and more. All services are provided through medical providers that participate in the CHIP program. Not all doctors and medical facilities accept CHIP patients.
Learn more about CHIP benefits here.
The Massachusetts state CHIP program is called MassHealth. It is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For more information about MassHealth, click here.
A child may receive CHIP benefits in Massachusetts for as long as he or she qualifies for the program. A participant’s qualifications are determined by their age and their household’s monthly gross income. To learn more about eligibility and qualifying for MassHealth, click here.
If a child is eligible for CHIP, the following services will be covered:
Other services may also be covered depending on the child’s needs.
For more information about the services covered and what medical assistance you can receive, call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900 or review the MassHealth overview page here.
To qualify for CHIP in Massachusetts, a child must meet the following criteria:
For more information on Massachusetts’s household income limits and other eligibility criteria to qualify for CHIP, click here.
Depending on your gross household income, the premium may be $12 to $64 per month per family covered by MassHealth in your household.
When your child receives covered medical services, you will not be expected to pay a copay, even when receiving emergency medical services.
For more information on the cost of CHIP benefits in Massachusetts, call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900.
Before applying for MassHealth, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
To apply for CHIP online, you can create an account through the Massachusetts Health Connector here.
To apply for CHIP in person, click here to find your nearest Massachusetts Enrollment Center.
To apply for CHIP by phone, call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900.
To apply for CHIP by mail, fill out the Massachusetts Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs found here and send it to the following address:
Health Insurance Processing Center
P.O. Box 4405
Taunton, MA 02780
To apply for CHIP by fax, send your completed application to 1 (857) 323-8300.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for MassHealth by phone or online, you will receive a decision about your eligibility for benefits after your application is complete.
If you applied for MassHealth by mail, fax, or in person, you will receive a determination letter in the mail notifying you of your eligibility for CHIP after applying. You will also receive information on how to enroll in a health plan.
For more information about what happens after you apply for MassHealth, you can contact the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900.
If you do not agree with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s decision to deny you CHIP benefits, you can file an appeal after you receive your eligibility determination in the mail.
You can file your appeal by mail or by fax to the Office of Medicaid, Board of Hearings.
To send your appeal by fax, fill out the Fair Hearing Request here and send to: 1 (617) 847-1204.
To send your appeal by mail, complete the Fair Hearing Request form and send it to the following address:
Office of Medicaid, Board of Hearings
100 Hancock St.
6th Floor
Quincy, MA 02171
After submitting your appeal, you will receive a notice regarding your hearing date at least 10 calendar days prior to your scheduled hearing. Failure to appear without having rescheduled your hearing or without good cause will result in the dismissal of your request.
If you have any further questions regarding the appeals process, you can contact the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900.
To transfer your child from your current insurance to CHIP benefits, you will need to contact your current health insurance provider and ask a representative to discontinue their insurance coverage.
You can find your insurance company’s customer service number on your health insurance card.
If you have any questions about the insurance transfer process, contact the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900.
If you have any further questions about MassHealth or CHIP, call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 841-2900.
You can also contact your local Massachusetts Enrollment Center for assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
The MassHealth Customer Service Center is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Enrollment Centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Children’s Health Insurance Program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free CHIP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
