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Section 1. General Description and Purpose of the State Child Health Plans and State Child Health Plan Requirements (Section 2101)

1.1 The state will use funds provided under Title XXI primarily for (Check appropriate box) (42 CFR 457.70):

1.1.1

Obtaining coverage that meets the requirements for a separate child health program (Section 2103); OR

1.1.2.

Providing expanded benefits under the State’s Medicaid plan (Title XIX); OR

1.1.3.

A combination of both of the above.

Kentucky has been working since November 1996 to increase health care access by all age groups. At that time a workgroup was convened by the Cabinet for Health Services and included many interested parties. Three target groups were identified: 1) Uninsured children; 2) Uninsured adults; and 3) Elderly with difficulty affording needed medicines. As Title XXI funds became available, the children’s program became a priority. Several subgroups were formed to tackle specific issues such as the benefits package, financing, and policy issues including outreach, coordination, and evaluation.

Kentucky’s Title XXI State Plan will expand children’s access to health coverage by implementing state enabling legislation and building on the experience and infrastructure of the Kentucky Medicaid program. The Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) will adopt two approaches to expanding health care coverage for children; a Medicaid expansion and a state designed health insurance program.

KCHIP Medicaid Expansion The current Medicaid program will be expanded to cover poverty level children 14 to 19 to 100% FPL, July 1, 1998. An additional CHIP Medicaid expansion will take place on July 1, l999, to cover targeted low income children from one to 19 in families up to 150% FPL.

KCHIP Separate Insurance Program This Medicaid look alike is designed to cover children from birth to 19 years of age who are not eligible for Medicaid or the KCHIP Medicaid Expansion and have family incomes at or below 200% FPL. This program will become effective on November 1, 1999. Health care services will include all current Medicaid services with the exception of non-emergency transportation and EPSDT Special Services. Health care services will be provided through the existing Medicaid service delivery system.

Outreach Many new outreach efforts will be implemented under the Title XXI program. The goals for outreach in the state will be to inform families of the program, assist them with enrolling their children, and follow through to get the children enrolled. Eligibility determination will continue to be contracted by the Department for Medicaid Services to the Department for Community Based