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

Effective Date:

October 1, 2009 11 Approval Date: November 19, 2010 Treatment (EPSDT) program as well as a pamphlet on immunizations. When children are enrolled in the SSI Program, they are automatically enrolled in the Medicaid Program. Additionally, a brochure is sent to parents/guardians of all new SSI eligible children encouraging them to participate in the EPSDT program. In addition to these efforts, social workers within the ADPH conduct patient recruitment as a part of their case management activities. These recruitment efforts are conducted through community presentations and professional relationships with other State and local agencies which serve mothers and children.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation also provide case management services for Medicaid children known to their agencies, in order to facilitate their enrollment in health services particularly mental health services through the Rehabilitation Option.

Through CHIP Phase I, the Alabama Medicaid Agency, working with the Alabama Department of Public Health, took several major steps to identify and enroll all uncovered children who were eligible to participate in this public health insurance program. New eligibility workers were hired and they, plus existing eligibility workers, were trained in CHIP eligibility criteria as well as other Medicaid eligibility criteria. These eligibility workers are outstationed in health departments, hospitals, community health centers, CHIP office, etc.

In order to streamline the CHIP/Medicaid enrollment process, the Alabama Medicaid Agency initiated continuous eligibility for all Medicaid children under the age of 19 years, on April 1, 1998. Continuous eligibility means that Medicaid enrolled children maintain their Medicaid coverage continuously for one year from enrollment or re-determination.

Additionally, numerous presentations, regarding CHIP, have been made by knowledgeable professionals who are members of the broad based CHIP Workgroup and CHIP staff. These presentations include addresses to education professionals, rural health groups, child care management agencies, parents of children with special health care needs, Indian Health Service staff, the general public, etc. Some specific activities include:

Notice to all Medicaid providers News releases and camera-ready materials for newspapers Articles published in newsletters of health care provider associations–Medical Association of the State of Alabama, Alabama Hospital Association, Alabama Dental Association, and others Television commercials Radio spots Brochures have been distributed to date for outstationed Medicaid workers, public health workers, county human resources workers, Early Intervention Coordinating Councils, Mental Health Centers, family services centers, primary health care centers, hospitals, advocacy and professional organization, and in the school system, principles and guidance counselors