Keep Kids Covered Act Extends Medicaid/CHIP Eligibility for Kids Up to Age 6 and Locks in 2 Years of Coverage for Teens

This bill, the Keep Kids Covered Act, is a major overhaul of how kids stay enrolled in government health programs like Medicaid and CHIP. The core idea is to stop the frustrating cycle known as “churn”—where kids lose coverage simply because their parents miss a deadline or paperwork gets lost in the shuffle, only to re-enroll a few months later. This bill significantly extends how long children can stay covered without needing to re-qualify.

No More Annual Paperwork Scramble for Young Kids

For parents of young children, this is a huge administrative win. Currently, most kids on Medicaid or CHIP have to prove they still qualify every 12 months. This bill changes that dramatically. If a child is enrolled in Medicaid, they now get continuous eligibility until they turn six years old, unless they move out of state (SEC. 2). This means if your income fluctuates slightly year-to-year while your child is a toddler, you won't lose their coverage. Furthermore, babies born to mothers already covered by Medicaid or CHIP—often called “deemed newborns”—will now have their coverage automatically extended until they turn six, a massive jump from the current one-year limit (SEC. 2).

Two Years of Stability for School-Age Kids and Teens

For older kids, the bill also provides much-needed stability. Children aged 6 through 18 will now have a 24-month period of continuous eligibility, doubling the current 12-month requirement (SEC. 2). Think about a family where a parent works construction or runs a small business and income is seasonal. Under the old rules, a good year meant a headache of paperwork to re-enroll the next. Now, those families can count on two full years of coverage for their middle- and high-schoolers, ensuring consistent access to preventative care and specialists during critical growth years.

A Lifeline for Former Foster Youth Until Age 26

One of the most impactful changes involves former foster youth. Under existing law, those who age out of foster care are eligible for Medicaid until age 26, but the implementation has been complex. This bill clarifies and streamlines the process, ensuring former foster youth receive continuous eligibility until they turn 26, provided they were in foster care and covered by Medicaid on their 18th birthday (SEC. 2). The bill also ensures that individuals who turned 18 just before the main coverage rules took effect (starting January 1, 2023) are also covered, closing a potential gap for this vulnerable population (SEC. 3).

The State’s New Contact Homework

With these longer enrollment periods, states have a new administrative task. If someone has been continuously enrolled for over 12 months, the state must take steps to update their contact information at least once a year (SEC. 2). This is critical because if a family moves and the state loses track, the child might miss important information about services, even though they are technically still covered. While this adds administrative work for state agencies, it’s a smart safeguard to make sure continuous coverage actually translates into continuous care. These new rules are slated to take effect one year after the bill becomes law.