Medicaid's Healthy Start program has been available to children and pregnant women since 1989. In 1997, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was also created to cover uninsured children. In Ohio, the SCHIP program is administered through the Healthy Start program.

Eligibility Criteria:   

• Children (up to age 19) in families with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
• Pregnant Women in families with income up to 150% FPL.

Applicants must also:

• be a U.S. citizen or meet Medicaid citizenship requirements;
• be an Ohio resident
• have or get a social security numer; and
• meet certain financial requirements

When applying for Healthy Start, proof of income, pregnancy, citizenship (if not a U.S. citizen) and other health insurance is required. No face-to-face interview is necessary.

• Income Guidelines
• Application for Healthy Start
• Medical Card
• Ohio Medicaid Benefits
  • Healthchek - Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program

• Fee For Service
• Managed Care

• Healthy Start & Healthy Families Brochure -   English  Espanol
• Healthy Start Fact Sheet
• Covering Kids
• Children's Defense Fund ? Ohio
• KidsOhio.org
• Insure Kids Now
• Ohio Department of Health
  • Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program
  • Children & Family Health Services (CFHS)
  • Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH)
  • Help Me Grow
• Medicaid Consumer Guide