New applications taken for CHIP

BOISE – More and more Idahoans are going without health insurance, according to the latest census data – but for the next two weeks the state will be taking applications to cover several thousand additional uninsured kids.

“We do have lots of openings, and we do encourage people to apply,” said Ross Mason, Idaho Health and Welfare spokesman. “We want to hear from them.”

From Sept. 1 to Sept. 14, Health and Welfare will accept applications for the new “CHIP B” and Access Card programs, both of which provide limited coverage for currently uninsured children in families that make too much to qualify for regular Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but not enough to buy their own insurance.

“This is meant to fill that gap,” Mason said. “Every little bit helps.”

The latest census figures show that Idahoans are struggling with health care costs. Overall, 18.6 percent of Idahoans were uninsured in 2003, according to the census, up from 15.3 percent in 1987.

But Mason said those numbers don’t tell the whole story. If you look only at the percentage of those under age 65 – because people 65 and older are covered by Medicare – Idaho’s uninsured rate climbs to a whopping 20.7 percent, more than one in every five people.

“You have that big section of adults 19 to 64 years old, and in particular those young adults who don’t have insurance, can’t afford insurance, don’t have access to insurance,” Mason said. “There’s no program that covers them.”

Idaho’s uninsured rates are well above the national average, which hit 15.6 percent for all Americans in 2003, up from 12.9 percent in 1987.

That’s true for children, as well, with 13.7 percent of those under 18 lacking health coverage in 2003, compared to a national rate of 11.4 percent.

However, the state has made progress on uninsured children in recent years. In 1987, 16.4 percent of Idaho’s children were uninsured.

Mason said the largest factor in that increase in insuring children is Medicaid, which has stretched to cover more kids in recent years. Medicaid now covers 114,000 Idaho children. The advent of the Children’s Health Insurance Program in the past four years has added to those numbers.

“We want those kids to be covered, we want them to be healthy,” Mason said.

The new CHIP B program and Access Card programs extend CHIP to an additional group of families whose incomes are slightly too high to qualify for the full children’s coverage. Under the new programs, authorized by state lawmakers last year, children in families making up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible, rather than just 150 percent, which is the level to qualify for regular CHIP.

For a family of four, that’s up to $34,872, as opposed to the CHIP limit of $28,275.

Families pay part of the cost for CHIP B or the Access Card. CHIP B offers slightly less coverage than regular CHIP, at a cost to families of $15 per child per month. The Access Card subsidizes private insurance for children with a $100-per-child monthly premium subsidy, up to $300 per family.

Mason cautioned that in addition to the income limits, the two programs have asset guidelines, so families with assets such as extra cars or large savings accounts won’t qualify.

To sign up for CHIP B or the Access Card, families can get applications by calling the Idaho Careline at 211, or calling toll-free (800) 926-2588. They also can get registration forms online at www.idahohealth .org, and can call the CHIP Unit toll-free at (866) 326-2485.

For the upcoming signup period, applications must be postmarked between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14.

Mason said people who applied earlier and were rejected are free to apply again, if their circumstances have changed.

The two new programs can accommodate at least 5,600 children, but during the initial signup period over the summer, only about 2,600 applied, and about half of those weren’t eligible because they already had health insurance.

Mason said programs like CHIP B and the Access Card can’t solve all of Idaho’s problems with the uninsured.

“Idaho’s a poor state. The reality is, poor states are going to have more uninsured people,” he said. With recent economic downturns and rising health care costs, he said, “You don’t have as many companies offering health insurance.”

Idaho can’t take care of all of its uninsured residents, Mason said. “It simply can’t afford to. It has to be a national debate.”