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

ARKANSAS Effective Date: July 1, 2003

Approval Date: 11 2.2. Describe the current state efforts to provide or obtain creditable health coverage for uncovered children by addressing: (Section 2102)(a)(2) (42CFR 457.80(b))

2.2.1. The steps the state is currently taking to identify and enroll all uncovered children who are eligible to participate in public health insurance programs (i.e., Medicaid and state-only child health insurance):

Medicaid

The State has been extremely active in its effort to identify and enroll uncovered children who are eligible to participate in the Arkansas Medicaid Program.

The State has cooperative agreements with 35 hospitals, clinics, and organizations throughout the state to place out-stationed DHS Medicaid eligibility workers in their facilities. This has simplified the application process and has encouraged individuals and families to apply for Medicaid when otherwise they might not have done so.

DHS also has an agreement with the Federally Qualified Health Centers for 19 staff who cover their 36 sites. These FQHC staff members assist in the application process.

Medicaid outreach is also furthered by a contract between the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) for ConnectCare, the Arkansas Primary Care Case Management program. ConnectCare provides outreach through statewide television and radio advertisements to inform both current eligibles and potential eligibles about the merits of primary medical coverage through Arkansas Medicaid.

DHS also has an agreement with ADH to establish Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women in the SOBRA category. Arkansas was one of the first states in the nation to employ the Presumptive Eligibility process for this group. State-only Child Health Insurance

The State does not have any State-only child health insurance programs.