Report Finds 60,000 KCHIP-Eligible Kentucky Children Lack Coverage, Urges Enrollment Boost

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 21 Aug 2008 - 8:00 PST

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More than 60,000 of Kentucky's estimated 93,000 uninsured children are eligible for KCHIP, the state's version of SCHIP, but are not enrolled, according to a report released on Monday by Kentucky Voices for Health, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. KCHIP is available to children of families with annual incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Children living in families with incomes less than 150% of the poverty level receive KCHIP coverage at no cost and children in families with higher incomes contribute $20 per month for coverage.

According to the Courier-Journal, KCHIP enrollment has remained flat in recent years, despite an increase in the number of uninsured children. Currently, 52,000 children are enrolled in the program. The report states that many families do not enroll their eligible children because they are unaware of the program or have trouble complying with the enrollment process, which requires parents to meet in person with a state employee. In addition, it says the state is not doing enough to promote the program.

The report recommends that the state accept KCHIP applications through the mail or online and drop the in-person meeting requirement. It also recommends that the state increase the number of places across the state where parents can enroll their children in the program, such as hospitals, clinics or schools.

According to the Courier-Journal, Kentucky officials have not expanded the state's Medicaid program, which includes KCHIP, in recent years because of increasing costs and budget constraints. Elizabeth Johnson, the state's Medicaid commissioner, said Medicaid is facing a shortfall of $180 million in this year's state budget. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) on Monday said that he soon hopes to announce an easier process for enrolling in KCHIP. Johnson said that her department is working with the governor's office to refine the new process (Yetter, Louisville Courier-Journal, 8/19).

The report is available online (.pdf).

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