Montana Increases Income Eligibility Threshold For SCHIP

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Jul 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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Montana has increased the income threshold for SCHIP eligibility to 175% of the federal poverty level effective July 1, the state Department of Public Health and Human Services recently announced, the Billings Gazette reports. The previous limit was 150% of the poverty level. The department said about 3,000 more children will become eligible under the new income requirement. Jackie Forba, bureau chief for the state's program, said, "We know the need is there because many families applied for [SCHIP] in the past only to find out they're above the income limit," adding that there is no waiting list for coverage and that it begins on the first of the month after the child is registered. It is estimated that about half of the state's 37,000 uninsured children are eligible but not enrolled in SCHIP or Medicaid, according to the department (Billings Gazette, 7/11).

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