CHIP Legislation and COBRA

[Guest SLSHAHAN]

I have a quick question - I am hoping someone has come across this already.

I have a client that is on COBRA. They will be eligible for the subsidy, but the $2200 a month price tag still leaves them $770 a month for their portion, which is a lot when you have lost your job.

So here is where my questions start:

1. Can someone on COBRA qualify for CHIP, or do they have to be on active coverage?

2. If they do qualify and CHIP will pay for the children, can the adults still qualify for the subsidy of 65% for their portion of the premium?

I know this is double dipping, but this family is going to have to decide between their house or their insurance.

I know this question is going to come up again - was just wondering if someone else had figured out the answer already!

Thanks!

Shannon

[Guest Benefit Specialist]

In our state, I understand that CHIP will not enroll anyone who has other coverage. If they have already lost coverage and applied for CHIP, I would think that application would be well under way and they should know if they got it or not. If they did not, then I would think they qualify for the subsidy. Your second question, I'm sure since COBRA can be elected as individual or any category the QB wants, that just the parents can elect and go through the subsidy.