The West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) Board approved today to eliminate the 90-day waiting period for children to be enrolled in the CHIP plan. Prior to this change, children were required to be uninsured for 90 days before enrolling in the CHIP plan.
The WVCHIP Board addressed this issue at its July 2013 meeting but agreed to research the issue more extensively, including reaching out to stakeholders in the commercial insurance market prior to the vote. The outcome of this research indicated that this change did not pose any potential issues.
“This action was necessary to avoid any cumbersome delays or disruptions to children’s coverage for those starting to use the Marketplace to gain health coverage,” said Sharon Carte, WVCHIP Board Director. “This means that October 1 of this year is the effective date of this change for those who may apply to CHIP as they seek to gain group coverage in the Marketplace.”
For additional information on the Marketplace, please visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual.
Families may apply with WVCHIP by calling the toll-free helpline at 1-877-982-2447, at their local DHHR office, by Internet at www.wvinroads.org at the Marketplace website as noted above beginning October 1, 2013. For general information, please visit www.chip.wv.gov regarding co-payments and benefits.