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Section 2. General Background and Description of State Approach to Child Health Coverage and Coordination (Section 2102 (a)(1)-(3)) and (Section 2105)(c)(7)(A)-(B))

2.1.1 Describe the extent to which, and manner in which, children in the state including targeted low-income children and other classes of children, by income level and other relevant factors, such as race and ethnicity and geographic location, currently have creditable health coverage (as defined in 42 CFR 457.10). To the extent feasible, make a distinction between creditable coverage under public health insurance programs and public-private partnerships (See Section 10 for annual report requirements). (42 CFR 457.80(a))

The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services conducts an annual Family Health Survey managed by the Department’s Division of Public Health. The Wisconsin Family Health Survey was initiated in 1989 to provide reliable estimates of health status, health problems, health insurance coverage, and use of health care services among Wisconsin residents. A random sample of households is telephoned by trained interviewers, who speak with the household member most knowledgeable about the health of all household members. This respondent provides information for all people living in the household at the time of the interview.

The survey provides descriptive information about health insurance coverage among Wisconsin residents. To monitor health status and health care utilization issues, survey questions ask about the current health status, chronic conditions, and physical limitations of all household members, as well as the last visit to a doctor, visit to a dentist, and any use of an emergency room in the past year. Demographic characteristics, such as age, race, poverty status, and education, also are obtained for all persons in the household.

According to the Family Health Survey, in 2005 there were about 1,376,000 children under 19 years of age in Wisconsin. Approximately 1,170,000 (85% of these children) were white (majority) and 206,000 (15%) were minority or multiple race.

The 2004 Family Health Survey estimates that 8% of Wisconsin's population was living in a household below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). That is, Wisconsin had an estimated 445,000 people in poverty in 2005. The survey estimated that 12% of children (165,000) were below 100% FPL, and 19% of all children (261,000) were below 200% FPL.

According to the 2005 Wisconsin Family Health Survey, 5% of Wisconsin household residents had no health insurance during all of the previous 12 months, and 5% of household residents had no health insurance for part of the previous 12 months. At any one time, 7% of Wisconsin household residents had no health insurance.

WISCONSIN

Effective Date:

Approval Date: 5