UPMC for Kids, Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program plan with the highest number of enrolled children and teenagers, has expanded into Carbon and Monroe counties.

UPMC for Kids recently achieved its National Committee for Quality Assurance 4-Star Health Plan Rating in NCQA’s Medicaid Health Plan Ratings 2022. It is one of four health plans offering CHIP coverage in Pennsylvania that have earned this high-quality rating.

UPMC for Kids coverage includes access to UPMC’s in-network hospitals, as well as support from UPMC Health Plan’s member service concierges. Members may also use the 24-hour UPMC MyHealth Nurse Line and virtual provider visits over live video through UPMC AnywhereCare.

Additional benefits are also available including programs to help monitor conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and ADHD; MyHealth Online, the secure website that includes members’ most current benefit information.

UPMC for Kids also offers wellness events at UPMC Connect Centers covering a wide range of topics, including weight management, healthy eating, smoking cessation, heart disease, mental health, and much more. A complete listing of wellness events is available at www.upmchealthplan.com/connect-centers/.

Parents or guardians can apply for CHIP coverage for their children by calling 1-800-978-8762 or the Department of Human Services’ CHIP Help Line at 1-800-986-KIDS; or they can apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us; submit a paper application directly to UPMC for Kids; or request a transfer to UPMC for Kids from another CHIP managed care organization.

CHIP was established in the 1990s to provide health coverage to families with incomes above Medicaid eligibility thresholds but who cannot afford or do not have access to private coverage.

CHIP has a rolling enrollment period. Families must renew coverage every year and will qualify for one of three levels of CHIP, including free, low-cost, and full-cost CHIP. There is no income limit for CHIP availability.