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

Effective Date:

Approval Date: 27 solicit their help in identifying eligible families and assisting them with the application process. In addition, the assistance of the NC Council of Churches has been sought to encourage all places of worship to inform their congregations of the importance of the availability of children's health insurance, Titles XIX and XXI and to assist in the application process. The assistance of the NC Pediatric Society and the NC Academy of Family Physicians was enlisted to provide their patients with information on Titles XIX/XXI. Providers have also been urged to remind patients to reenroll when their 12-month eligibility period was about to expire.

Using a simplified mail-in application form, applicants first are screened for Title XIX eligibility, then for Title XXI. If they are found to be ineligible for both programs, applicants are provided with information on Title V clinics for preventive health services at the local health department. They are encouraged to consider purchasing health insurance for their children. The process was developed in such a way that trips to local social services agencies are not necessary. Mail in applications, out- stationed sites and telephone interviews are used. Because eligibility is one year only, renewal applications are mailed at 11 months with a cover letter explaining where to turn for assistance if help is needed in completing the renewal application.

Targeted Population Outreach

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. North Carolina's minority populations have been successfully targeted through a combined approach using minority media, religious organizations, social and cultural organizations. The broad outlines for minority outreach efforts, developed by representatives of the respective racial or ethnic groups are as follows:

The African American population is targeted through:

• 11 newspapers in the state identified by the NC Black Publishers Association as those with an editorial focus targeting black readers. • Urban, Gospel and Jazz radio stations as listed through Arbitron Media Research as African American • Predominantly African American religious organizations through such projects as Black Churches United for Better