SCHIP has monthly premiums unless your children are American Indian or Alaska Native. You pay premiums to DSHS. You don't pay premiums to providers, such as doctors, pharmacists and dentists. If you have questions about your premium payment, contact the Medical Assistance helpline or call at 1-800-562-3022.

Premiums are $15 per child per month, with a $45 family maximum per month. Even if you have 4 or more children enrolled, you will pay no more than $45 per month in premiums.

If your income goes down and you cannot pay premiums, call 1-800-562-3022. Your children may be eligible for Medicaid, which has no premiums.

Billing for premiums

Each month you will receive a premium bill with the amount you owe for your children's health coverage. A return envelope is included for your convenience.

If you do not have a return envelope to mail your payment, mail your payment to:

DSHS, FSA
PO Box 9501 
Olympia, WA  98507-9501

If your children's SCHIP coverage ends, you will no longer be billed a monthly premium.  However, you will continue to receive a monthly bill if you still have a balance due.

If you don't pay your premium

You need to pay your premiums to keep your children's SCHIP coverage. If you don't pay your premium for 3 months, your children will be disenrolled from SCHIP. You must then pay all past due premiums and wait 3 months before your child can be re-enrolled in SCHIP.  The waiting period begins the day after coverage ended. The waiting period ends on the last day of the third full month of non-coverage. For example, if your children's medical ended on March 31st, the end of the waiting period would be June 31st.  The three full months of non-coverage are April, May, and June.

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