The Kansas Legislature has directed the Kansas Health Policy Authority to increase premiums for the Children’s Health Insurance Program by $40 per month.

Premiums currently are $20, $30, $50 and $75 per month, depending on income levels.

Peter Hancock, public relations director, said the health agency is still trying to sort out exactly what the Legislature wants, and if such an increase would comply with federal regulations.

“We have a little bit of a concern that there may be some categories where we cannot raise it by $40 because there are caps on the amount that can be charged,” Hancock said.

KHPA plans to file a state plan amendment with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which would have to approve the premium increases. “Our intention would be to increase premiums by some amount and we are trying to figure out the details of that, and to do it by July 1,” Hancock said.

In April, 40,449 Kansas children were enrolled in CHIP, including 942 in Douglas County.