The Healthy Families program is a state-designed program that provides health coverage to low-income children under the age of 19 who do not have insurance today and do not qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal.

· A child whose family has a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guideline may be eligible for CHIP. The guidelines are based on the size of the family and the ages of children in the family. For a family of 3 with a 2-year old child, this works out to an annual income ranging from $24,372 to $47,780, or a monthly income between $2,031 to $3,815.

· Families pay premiums of $4-$15 per child per month (maximum of $45 per family). In addition, you may have to pay a co-pay of up to $5 for some benefits.

· Healthy Families offers health, dental and vision care through contracts with selected insurance plans that vary county to county. Some of the Health Family health benefits include hospital care, physician services, prescription drugs, well child services, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment services, dental care, eye care, lab and x-ray services, and physical, speech, and occupational therapy. In addition, some plans include acupuncture, chiropractic and biofeedback benefits, among other services.

· For more information about Healthy Families, call (800) 880-5305 or visit them online at http://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov/About/Contact.aspx