CHIP in Florida

Florida at a glance

Florida is home to about 4,905,727 foreign-born residents (21.9% of the state’s 22,416,077 people) and 6,146,161 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (27.4%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Florida regardless of immigration status unless noted.

CHIP covers health insurance for uninsured children from families earning too much for Medicaid but unable to afford private insurance.

CHIP eligibility limits in Florida (verified data)

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) — CHIP data by state

Verified on: 2026-05-25

Children’s health coverage in Florida

Child ageMedicaid (% FPL)
Infants 0-1 yearup to 211% FPL
Children 1-5 yearsup to 145% FPL
Children 6-18 yearsup to 138% FPL

CHIP upper income limit in Florida: 215% of FPL

How to apply for CHIP in Florida

  1. Combined Medicaid+CHIP application via healthcare.gov
  2. Florida state application (some states have own portal)
  3. By phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669)

Florida adopted CHIPRA Option

Florida adopted the CHIPRA option, eliminating the 5-year bar for permanent-resident children. This means a child with a new green card (under 5 years in US) can qualify for CHIP in Florida without waiting.

How to apply for CHIP in Florida

  1. Visit Healthcare.gov or Florida’s Medicaid/CHIP portal
  2. Complete the application — ONE application covers both Medicaid AND CHIP automatically
  3. Florida determines if your child qualifies for one or the other

Typical coverage

CHIP covers: doctor visits, vaccines, hospitalization, dental, vision, prescriptions, mental health.

Income limits

Generally 200-300% federal poverty level. For family of 4: ~$60,000-$90,000/year.

Costs

CHIP has low co-pays (sometimes $0) and, in states that charge them, low monthly premiums; federal rules cap a family’s total CHIP cost-sharing at 5% of its income over the child’s eligibility period (42 CFR 457.560).

Last verified: 2026-06-15.