Providing health insurance coverage is a major cost of doing business, especially for small companies and “mom and pop” establishments. An innovative new program administered by the Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) in Queensbury is increasing access to New York State’s Child Health Plus insurance program which could be a more cost-effective option for many families.
AHI is a partnership of Adirondack Medical Center, Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital Medical Center, and Hudson Headwaters Health Network. AHI’s mission is to promote, sponsor and coordinate initiatives and programs that improve health care quality, access, and service delivery in the Adirondack region. AHI operates programs that help consumers, providers and other stakeholders to improve the health of the community while reducing the cost of health care. The Children’s Health Insurance Connection (CHIC) is one of AHI’s newest programs which is dedicated to increasing the number of eligible children enrolled in and retained in New York State’s Child Health Plus insurance program. “With nearly 2,400 uninsured children under the age of 19 in Warren and Washington counties, this grant provides AHI with additional resources to assist parents in obtaining free or low-cost health insurance,” said Cathy Homkey, AHI Chief Executive Officer.
Child Health Plus is a comprehensive health insurance program for children under the age of 19 that covers a wide range of health care and dental needs with no copays or deductibles. The income requirements make it possible for working families to obtain free or low cost insurance coverage for their children. “Since premium costs are based on income and family size, employees with higher incomes would have to pay part or the entire premium. “Given there are no copays and deductibles, even the entire premium cost, in many instances, could be a more affordable option than an employer-based health insurance program,” said Gail Holstein Danforth, Program Manager of the Children’s Health Insurance Connection.
For over 12 years, AHI’s Enrollment Services has been assisting families and individuals with the application process for New York State Public Health Insurance Programs, including Child Health Plus. In May 2012, a new internet-based tool was implemented that has simplified the enrollment process. Parents can go to CHIC’s website, www.chicapp.org to confidentially screen their children for Child Health Plus. The screening takes less than 5 minutes. If a child appears eligible, parents can choose to continue with the internet application process and enter additional information to accelerate the processing of their application. The information is securely sent to an AHI Enrollment Services Team Member who will contact the applicant within 5 business days to complete the enrollment process. Families without internet access can call 1-800-872-3740 to begin the application process.
Area businesses can partner with Children’s Health Insurance Connection by providing information on Child Health Plus as an affordable health insurance option for their employees and their children. CHIC can provide Human Resource staff with a brief tutorial on how to use the online screening tool, promotional materials for new employee packets, and informational posters for break rooms.
The Children’s Health Insurance Connection is looking forward to creating partnerships with area businesses and organizations to decrease the number of uninsured children in the region. For more information, visit www.chicapp.org and click on the partners tab or contact Gail Holstein Danforth at gdanforthahi@medserv.net or 761-0300, extension 31375.