Quick answer
Children can be covered on a parent’s job-based or marketplace plan, or through Medicaid and CHIP, which cover kids at little or no cost in families with low to moderate incomes. In a typical state, children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP with family income up to about 255% of the federal poverty level, around $84,000 a year for a family of four.
Key takeaways
- Medicaid and CHIP cover children in many working families, not only those with very low incomes, and you can apply any time of year.
- Once enrolled, children in Medicaid and CHIP keep coverage for 12 months even if family income changes.
- ACA plans cover children’s checkups, recommended vaccines, and dental and vision care as essential benefits.
- A new baby gives you 60 days to add them to a marketplace plan, with coverage back to the date of birth.
- Kids can stay on a parent’s plan until they turn 26.
On this page
Where kids get health insurance
- A parent’s employer plan. Most employers let you add children, though the price of family coverage varies a lot from job to job.
- A marketplace plan. Buy a family or child-only plan on HealthCare.gov or your state’s exchange. Premium tax credits can lower the cost.
- Medicaid and CHIP. Free or low-cost public coverage for kids in families with low to moderate incomes.
If you’re insuring the whole household, see family health insurance and covering every family member on one policy.
Medicaid and CHIP for children
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are run by each state with federal funding. Medicaid covers kids in lower-income families, and CHIP covers children whose families earn too much for Medicaid but can’t easily afford private coverage. Some states run both under a single program name.
Income limits for kids are much higher than for adults. The median state covers children up to 255% of the federal poverty level, and some states go well beyond that. Using the 2026 guidelines, 255% works out to about:
| Family size | Yearly income (about) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $55,180 |
| 3 | $69,670 |
| 4 | $84,150 |
| 5 | $98,630 |
Coverage is free in most states. Some charge small monthly premiums for CHIP (18 states did as of January 2026), and a family’s total out-of-pocket costs can’t exceed 5% of income. Since 2024, federal law has given children 12 months of continuous coverage, so a raise or a mid-year change won’t knock them off.
You can apply any time through your state Medicaid agency or HealthCare.gov. If your income is close to the limit, apply anyway and let the state decide. More in health insurance for low-income families.
What children’s coverage includes
Children’s dental and vision care are essential health benefits under the ACA, so marketplace and small-group plans must offer them. In the marketplace, children’s dental is sometimes sold as a separate plan. Plans also cover well-child visits and recommended vaccines without a copay when you use in-network providers. Orthodontics is a different story; see whether health insurance covers braces.
Medicaid covers even more for kids. Its Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit (EPSDT) gives children regular checkups plus any medically necessary care, including dental, vision and hearing services. CHIP benefits vary by state but include checkups, vaccines, doctor visits, hospital care and dental care.
No plan can refuse to cover a child or charge more because of a pre-existing condition like asthma or diabetes.
Adding a child to your plan
- Newborns and adoptions: you have 60 days to add the child to a marketplace plan, and coverage can start on the date of birth or adoption. Employer plans must give you at least 30 days.
- Open enrollment: for 2027 coverage, November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027, on HealthCare.gov.
- Other qualifying events, like losing other coverage or moving. See qualifying life events.
How long kids can stay on your plan
Children can stay on a parent’s plan until they turn 26, whether they’re in school, married, working or living elsewhere. See how long you can stay on your parents’ health insurance. Thinking about taking a teen off your plan? Read can I drop my child from health insurance at 18. College-age kids have more choices in health insurance for students.
Related guides: how to add a newborn to your health insurance and Medicaid income limits by state.
Covering a family? Compare family plans in your ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a health plan just for my child?
Yes. Marketplace insurers offer child-only plans, and a child can qualify for Medicaid or CHIP even if the parents don’t.
Can my child get CHIP if I have insurance through work?
Often, yes. A child must be uninsured to enroll in CHIP, but having job-based coverage available doesn’t by itself disqualify them. Some states have a waiting period of up to 90 days after you drop private coverage, so apply and let the state decide.
Are children’s vaccines covered?
Yes. ACA plans, Medicaid and CHIP cover recommended childhood vaccines without a copay in network. Children who are uninsured or on Medicaid can also get free vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children program.
My child is uninsured and needs care now. What should I do?
Apply for Medicaid or CHIP right away. Coverage can start quickly, and Medicaid can pay some bills from before you applied: up to three months back, dropping to two months starting in 2027. Community health centers also see kids regardless of insurance and charge based on income.
Sources
- Medicaid.gov: CHIP eligibility and enrollment
- InsureKidsNow.gov: Medicaid and CHIP for children
- KFF: Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment and renewal policies (January 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: Dental coverage in the Marketplace
- HealthCare.gov: Coverage for young adults under 26
- healthinsurance.org: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes health coverage
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Medicaid and CHIP rules vary by state, so check with your state Medicaid agency, HealthCare.gov or a licensed agent for your situation. Last reviewed September 2026.