Keystone First now Provides Health Coverage for Children of Families Who Do Not Qualify for Medicaid

July 21, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA

Keystone First announced the launch of Keystone First – CHIP, a program that provides health coverage for uninsured children and teens in southeastern Pennsylvania who are not eligible for Medicaid. The program became effective July 1, 2025.

Keystone First now offers what had been the Keystone HMO Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which was administered by Independence Blue Cross (IBX). Keystone First is a Blue Cross Medical Assistance (Medicaid) plan that provides Medicaid managed care coverage for members in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

“Keystone First now has a broader range of offerings for people in southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Joanne McFall, Keystone First Market President. “This approach will also support continuity of care and services for children who may move between CHIP and HealthChoices coverage.”

CHIP is a state and federally funded health insurance program that provides coverage to children under 19 years of age whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. It often requires families to pay a premium for coverage. Pennie, the state-based health exchange in Pennsylvania, provides subsidized coverage for individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, other government programs, or affordable employer-sponsored insurance.

Keystone First – CHIP currently covers approximately 15,000 members in the Keystone First service area. Children remained enrolled in CHIP through the transition with no lapse in coverage.

McFall said CHIP families will benefit from Keystone First’s member engagement process that provides health and wellness programs to children and families covered by Medicaid. Keystone First care coordinators and community health navigators “meet members where they are” to address health and social needs to help children and families achieve positive health outcomes.

“We are promoting our new CHIP product locally and plan to expand the program to counties served by our other Pennsylvania Medicaid health plan across the rest of the Commonwealth,” she said.