Gov. Steve Beshear has outlined an "ambitious plan" to get as many children as possible enrolled in the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) by 2010.
The Beshear Plan, with an implementation date of November 1, intends to dramatically cut the number of children without health coverage by removing barriers to enrollment, retaining more children once they are enrolled and significantly increasing education and outreach regarding the program, according to officials.
The plan hopes to enroll more than 35,000 by FY2010.
KCHIP provides health insurance to children whose family income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty level - about $42,400 a year for a family of four.
"It is shameful and shortsighted that we are not providing children with the healthcare they need and deserve," Beshear said. "The steps we are taking today to get more eligible children enrolled in the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program are fiscally responsible, economically smart, and, quite simply, the right thing to do."
Beshear plans to:
(bullet) eliminate the face-to-face interview requirement, allowing applicants to download, print and fill out an application from the governor's Web site and mail in the form or apply in-person at the local DCBS office (though this is no longer required);
(bullet) create a shorter application;
(bullet) and amend the denial process by allowing a new 30-day grace period to provide additional information for denied applications and follow up by phone or mail with applicants who fail to supply requested information.
KCHIP families must recertify at the end of each year that they want to continue in the program and are given 30 days to return a renewal form by mail. According to reports, the Beshear Plan will also contact families who fail to return their renewal forms.
Planned outreach efforts include providing the parents of every newborn in Kentucky with information about KCHIP enrollment and a program in all school districts to encourage school staff to assist in identification and enrollment of children into KCHIP.
Beshear's plan would take eight weeks to implement and is estimated to cost $6.1 million in state funding and $16.7 million in federal funding in FY09 and $25 million in state funding and $64.6 in federal funding in FY10.