Income-Based Healthcare
CHIP The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is federal children's healthcare, including labor and delivery, offered through the State of Nebraska to low-income women, age 18 years or younger, who don’t qualify for regular Medicaid. To get insured under the CHIP program, you must first apply for Medicaid. There is not a separate application for the program. The cost is based on income. You can apply at the State of Nebraska Health & Human Services (DHHS) offices in person or call them at (402) 473-7000 for help over the phone. They can instruct you in how to download an application from their web site that can be returned to them by regular mail or emailed back to them.
599 CHIP Children’s Health Insurance Program (599 CHIP) program covers pregnancy services for Nebraska women who don’t qualify for coverage under Medicaid or CHIP, regardless of immigration status. This program is not full Medicaid coverage and only applies to prenatal care and pregnancy-related services connected to the health of the unborn child, including labor and delivery. The cost is based on income. You can apply at the State of Nebraska Health & Human Services (DHHS) offices in person or call them at (402) 473-7000 for help over the phone. They can instruct you in how to download an application from their web site that can be returned to them by regular mail or emailed back to them. Download an info sheet.
Healthcare Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) If you don't have health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or other source that provides qualifying health coverage, you can find insurance coverage through the Healthcare Marketplace, an online resource you can access at Healthcare.gov, a web site through the federal government. There you can find an insurance plan based on your needs and income. There are two times during the year you can apply for an insurance plan in the Marketplace (with some exceptions), (1) enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1 or (2) enroll by January 15 for coverage that starts February 1. Pregnancy does not qualify for special enrollment but birth of a baby does.
Help with Applying for Medicaid Programs
In addition to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department, these organizations can assist with applying for Medicaid.
- El Centro de las Americas (serving the Hispanic community)
- Asian Community and Cultural Center (serving immigrants and refugees from Asian, Middle Eastern, and African countries, and the Ukraine).
- Lancaster County Medical Society
CHIP and 599 CHIP healthcare coverage is offered by Nebraska Medicaid through three different insurance providers (called a managed care organization - MCO). If you qualify for CHIP or 599 CHIP, you will need to choose of one these MCOs. Coverage varies. Download a comparison sheet to find the one that works best for you.
