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Model Application Template for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Effective Date:

October 1, 2009 10 Approval Date: November 19, 2010 through age five). With the implementation of CHIP, 23 workers were added throughout the state. In March, 2002, two eligibility workers and a clerk were housed in the ALL Kids central office to review applications referred from the ALL Kids eligibility workers. In addition to the CHIP office, these workers are located in places children are likely to go to receive health care - - county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers and hospitals. Because workers are in the community, they can and do establish working relationships with public and private providers, social service agencies and others. For example, supervisors provide in- service training and education on Medicaid, ALL Kids, and ACCF eligibility to physicians, Head Start workers, day care centers, Human Resources staff and others. The Alabama Medicaid Agency also has 10 district offices located throughout the state that process applications for the elderly and the disabled population. The 80 eligibility workers and 20 supervisors advise applicants about other programs and refer the applicants to the proper office when they do not qualify for a disabled program. They also advise about programs for which other family members may be eligible. These district offices work closely with providers to keep them informed of all programs available through the Medicaid Agency.

Applications for Medicaid, ALL Kids, and ACCF are easily available to anyone who needs one. Applications are available not only from Medicaid workers but also at physicians’ offices, county offices of the Department of Human Resources and hospitals. All sources of the joint application (i.e., ADPH, CRS, etc.) allow a “mail-in” application process thereby allowing Medicaid to complete a phone interview instead of a face-to-face interview. Medicaid has a toll- free number for anyone to call to ask questions about Medicaid eligibility and find out where and how to apply. The number is 1-800-362-1504. Medicaid’s Web site contains information on Medicaid eligibility and is used by advocates to assist people who want to apply for Medicaid.

Through its Medical Care Advisory Committee and its Physicians Task Force, Medicaid receives guidance on ways to reach potential Medicaid eligibles. Medicaid staff regularly brief these groups, who represent both providers and consumers, on all facets of the Medicaid program, including eligibility. Both groups are kept informed of upcoming changes in the Medicaid program and encouraged to provide comments and suggestions. With welfare reform and the separation of Medicaid eligibility from eligibility for public assistance, the Alabama Medicaid Agency and the Department of Human Resources have developed new cooperative arrangements to assure that children in the state’s lowest income families have access to Medicaid. Applications may be completed through the mail with a telephone interview, thus eliminating the need for a face-to-face contact. Currently DHR workers assess their clients to determine whether they might be eligible for any Medicaid, ALL Kids, or ACCF program. Workers help to complete forms, gather information and make appointments as necessary. However, the enrollment function for this Medicaid program will be transferred from DHR to the Medicaid Agency within the coming year.

Outreach occurs after the birth of an infant to a Medicaid recipient. Following the birth of each newborn whose mother is a Medicaid recipient, the Alabama Medicaid Agency sends the infant's parent or guardian a pamphlet on the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and