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

Effective Date:

Approval Date: 25 Section 5. Outreach (Section 2102(c))

Describe the procedures used by the state to accomplish:

Outreach to families of children likely to be eligible for child health assistance or other public or private health coverage to inform them of the availability of the programs, and to assist them in enrolling their children in such a program: (Section 2102(c)(1)) (42CFR 457.90)

North Carolina employs a simple, seamless marketing approach for both the Title XIX and XXI Programs. Marketing approaches use social marketing research and consider the needs of diverse populations (e.g., bilingual, TTY, etc.) The Division of Public Health has added a position focusing specifically on outreach for Medicaid and Health Choice for minority populations including African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino and Hmong. Outreach/promotion and marketing are coordinated at the State level through existing public/private partnerships. The Outreach Coalition meets jointly with the RWJ Covering Kids and Families to each strengthen the efforts of the other. The Outreach Coalition is co-chaired by the North Carolina Pediatric Society Foundation and alternates between the Division of Medical Assistance and the Division of Public Health. The Coalition includes the Office of Rural Health and Resource Development, the Commission on Indian Affairs, the Departments of Public Instruction, the NC Partnership for Children, the NC Covenant for Children and the NC Health Access Coalition among others. The state works collaboratively with First Step outreach efforts (a State effort to reduce infant mortality), has a hotline to provide information, referral and advocacy services to the parents of children who may be eligible for Title XIX or XXI Programs. Has a separate hotline to deal specifically with families of children with Special Health Care needs. There are activities at the community and state level to engage organizations, health care providers and consumers in outreach and enrollment efforts. In fact, a Providers Task Force comprised of health care providers (Major Medical Centers, the NC Hospital Association, the Pediatric Society, the NC Academy of Family Physicians, the NC Dental Society, the NC Opticians Society, the NC Association of Independent Pharmacists and others) has supplemented the state’s outreach effort and engaged the providers of the state in outreach activity as well as participation in the program. The state also works with counties to assist them in locally-based outreach/promotion & marketing, enrollment and utilization, and tracking activities. The State marketing efforts assist local designees with enrollment drive activities.