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

Effective Date: August 24, 2001

Approval Date: 9 The completed eligibility forms may be mailed or faxed to DSS eligibility offices without the need for a face to face interview. However, DSS caseworkers are available at DSS offices to assist with completing the applications if necessary. Workers at some outreach sites are also trained to assist with basic questions regarding Medicaid and SCHIP eligibility.

Redetermination for low income Medicaid and SCHIP has also been simplified. Redeterminations are conducted annually for eligible families and are initiated by DSS caseworkers that mail the redetermination materials to the families a month in advance. The redetermination materials do not require more information than the application process, and can be completed through the mail or fax.

Eligibility for individuals applying for Food Stamps, TANF, or other Medicaid programs is also simplified, as an additional application form is not required to obtain low income Medicaid or SCHIP coverage.

There is significant evidence to support the assertion that the changes to the application process have facilitated the identification and enrollment of uncovered children. Face value evidence exists in the growth in the number of uninsured children in Medicaid and SCHIP. Annual surveys conducted of the families of children enrolled in the Medicaid and SCHIP programs in 1998 and 1999 reported that 95% and 98% respectively, responded positively to the question on the ease of the application process.

Since the inception of the SCHIP program the State has used a number of approaches to conduct outreach to clients in addition to collaboration with other health or children’s programs. Included among the outreach approaches are direct mailings by the State to clients, the use of brochures and posters, client education sessions, an eligibility 800-telephone number, ads on public access television, paid radio announcements and public service announcements. Most effective among these efforts are the education sessions, direct mailings, and collaborations with other programs and the use of brochures. Least effective have been the radio and public access television ads.

Department of Social Services staff and collaborating agencies have conducted client outreach in many different settings. Included as some of the most effective settings for outreach are community health centers, health care provider locations, schools and adult education sites, Tribal agencies, social service agencies, local government offices, Headstart programs, and local charities. Many other locations such as laundries, fast food restaurants, libraries and senior centers have also been tried with less effectiveness.