Children's Health Care Initiative

Additional Children's Programs

County Children’s Health Initiative Program

If a child under 19 years old is ineligible for no cost MC, EWs must explore eligibility for the County Children’s Health Initiative Program (CCHIP). The net non-exempt family income must be between 267% - 322% FPL, and the child CANNOT be eligible for zero SOC, full-scope MC, including OTLIC. (Undocumented children are not eligible for CCHIP.)

Children's Health Initiative

The Santa Clara County CHI is a local effort to make sure access to no cost or low cost comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage to all uninsured children in Santa Clara County whose net non-exempt family income does not exceed 322% FPL.

CHI was established through a collaborative partnership with SSA, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital Systems, Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Health Trust, Working Partnerships, PACT, Alum Rock School District, and others.

The goal of the CHI is that 100% of the children residing in Santa Clara County will have access to quality health care through comprehensive health insurance and that no uninsured child who is a resident of Santa Clara County, and whose parents have income at or below 322% FPL, will be turned away from receiving health coverage.

CHI Objectives

To make sure that our county's CHI goal is achieved, the application process has been simplified for families to expedite the enrollment of children into the appropriate health insurance plans.

Fast-Track Enrollment of Kids

Intake district offices must have procedures in place to make sure that families with children who are applying for MC only, are seen by an EW on the same day the application is filed.

Single-Point-of-Service

SSA district offices are a single-point-of-service for children's healthcare coverage. EWs are to determine what program is most advantageous to the child(ren). Determine eligibility for all programs, in the following order:

  1. MC (Family's income at or below 266% of FPL)
  2. CCHIP (family income between 266% to 322% of FPL) (citizen, nationals, and legal permanent residents only).

EWs are to assist the client with the application, as needed.

Role of the Intake EW

An Intake EW can assist applicants with both programs (CCHIP and Healthy Kids), by:

  • Screening applicants for the appropriate programs based on the family's net non-exempt incomes.
  • Assisting applicants, as needed, with the completion of the SSApp.
  • Gathering verifications, if applicable.
  • Determining the health insurance premium for CCHIP.
  • Reviewing the application packet for completion and signatures.
  • Completing the application in CalSAWS to determine CCHIP eligibility (2C aid code) through Covered California (Children's Health Initiative in Santa Clara County).

Application Forms and Verifications

CHI Release of Information Form

The SCD 115 form must be included in every MC intake packet. Both the EW and the client must sign it. This form enables EWs to share specific eligibility information with Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital Systems for MC and Santa Clara Family Health Plan regarding the application. It must be completed annually.

Other Forms and Verifications

  • Verification of income
  • Verification of income deductions
  • Verification of California residency
  • Verification of Immigration Status (allow up to 90 days)
  • Social Security Number (allow up to 60 days)
  • Pregnancy verification
  • Assist the client with completion of the application process.
  • Adding Other Family Members

Any verbal or written request for MC is considered to be an application, therefore:

  • Obtain all required forms and verifications
  • Issue all mandated informing notices
  • Issue an approval or denial notice for the applicable program. 

Related Topics

HIPAA/PII

Application