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Currently the Kentucky Department for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services’ role in assisting and obtaining creditable health coverage for children is fairly limited. When a child presents for services at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), registration data is collected, including information about family income and insurance coverage. If it is discovered that a child has no insurance and the child appears to be Medicaid eligible, the family is referred to the Department for Social Insurance (DSI) to apply for Medicaid benefits. In addition, CMHC case managers/service coordinators may assist families in completing the steps to apply for Medicaid benefits. Many CMHCs provide training for direct service providers on how to access DSI services. Training is often provided by DSI staff.

Kentucky’s First Steps early intervention program serves children from birth to age three who have a developmental delay or a particular medical condition that is known to cause a developmental delay. First Steps has 15 intake offices located throughout the state, one in each Area Development District. In 1997 these offices received 3,677 referrals. It is estimated that 50% of children eligible for First Steps early intervention services are eligible for Medicaid. Intake coordinators visit the families referred and discuss Medicaid eligibility. If the family is not presently in the Medicaid program but appears to be eligible, the coordinator makes an effort to have eligibility determined.

Other possible sources of referral to Medicaid include: *Hospitals/Physicians/other providers *School-based health centers *FRYSC - Family Resource/Youth Services Centers *County and state social services agencies *Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs *Medicaid Managed Care Partnerships *Insurance agents *Churches

2.2.2. The steps the state is currently taking to identify and enroll all uncovered children who are eligible to participate in health insurance programs that involve a public-private partnership:

Not Applicable; Kentucky does not have any public-private insurance programs.

2.3. Describe the procedures the state uses to accomplish coordination of SCHIP with other public and private health insurance programs, sources of health benefits coverage for children, and relevant child health programs, such as title V, that provide health care services for low-income children to increase the number of children with creditable health coverage. (Previously 4.4.5.) (Section 2102)(a)(3) and 2102(c)(2) and 2102(b)(3)(E)) (42CFR 457.80(c))

Kentucky plans two avenues for children’s coverage: 1) The Medicaid program will be expanded to include poverty level children from 14 to 19, and targeted low income children one to 19 with family incomes at or below 150% FPL, and