Keep Kids Covered Act

The Keep Kids Covered Act would extend and strengthen continuous eligibility for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for more categories of children. Specifically, it: - Extends continuous eligibility for newborns deemed eligible at birth from 1 year to 6 years in both Medicaid and CHIP (with a transfer option to Medicaid if the child becomes fully eligible before age 6). - Expands continuous eligibility for children and youth up to age 19, and for former foster youth up to age 26. The bill restructures how eligibility is described for ages under 6, ages 6–18, and former foster youth, ensuring they remain eligible for benefits unless they cease residency or reach the applicable age limit. - Requires states to update and verify beneficiary contact information at least annually for those enrolled under continuous eligibility and to inform them about their enrollment and how long continuous eligibility lasts. - Applies these changes one year after enactment. - Modifies a separate provision on former foster youth coverage (up to age 26) to begin applying at specific dates after enactment, ensuring a phased implementation. In short, the bill aims to reduce gaps and churning in coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, including former foster youth, by guaranteeing longer periods of continuous eligibility and improving outreach and information about enrollment.