# Understanding the CHIPPER Act

The CHIPPER Act is designed to strengthen children's health insurance coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic by giving states more federal funding to keep kids enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP is the government program that provides health coverage to children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. Essentially, the bill increases the federal government's share of costs for state CHIP programs, making it easier for states to maintain and expand coverage without having to cut their own budgets.

To receive this extra federal funding, states have to follow specific rules. They can't raise premiums (the monthly fees families pay) above what they were charging on January 1, 2020. States must also guarantee that any child already enrolled in CHIP, or who enrolls during the emergency period, stays covered through the end of the COVID-19 emergency—they can't kick kids off the program unless families ask to leave or move out of state. Additionally, states must provide free COVID-19 testing, treatment, vaccines, and related equipment without charging families any out-of-pocket costs.

The bill also requires states to actively work to find children who used to have CHIP coverage but lost it, and help them re-enroll. States cannot impose waiting periods before children can start receiving benefits. These requirements run through September 30, 2022, giving states nearly two years to maintain these protections. For families, this means more stability in children's health coverage during a crisis and guaranteed access to COVID-19 care without worrying about costs or sudden loss of insurance.

CHIPPER Act

Wild, Susan

Children's Health Insurance Program Pandemic Enhancement and Relief Act or the CHIPPER Act This bill extends through FY2022 the 11.5% increase to the enhanced federal matching rate, also known as the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), that is otherwise applicable under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), subject to specified conditions. For example, in order to receive the increased FMAP in FY2021 and FY2022, a state must cover, without cost-sharing, testing and treatment for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), including vaccines, specialized equipment, and therapies.