Children's health insurance program expanded

Flathead County will receive $44,000 of $971,868 awarded as a grant to Montana to find and enroll uninsured children in either Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Wendy Doely, executive director of the Community Health Center, said a recent change in income eligibility opens the programs up to more families. The upper limit was raised from 175 percent of poverty level to 250 percent.

A family of four may now earn a little over $55,000 and still qualify. Doely plans to hire staff to do outreach to find uninsured children and help families through the application process.

"This is certainly an opportunity to get more children enrolled," Doely said.

Coverage includes office and clinic visits, emergency services, hospital services, physicals, surgery, well-child checkups, prescription drugs, lab and X-ray services, mental health and substance-abuse services, vision exams and glasses, hearing exams and hearing aids, and limited dental services.

Children 18 and under qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Both Medicaid and the former Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, now fall under the Healthy Montana Kids umbrella.

In past years, the Flathead Valley has had high enrollment rates compared to other areas of the state and country, resulting in waiting lists.

"We've done a good job of getting the word out," Doely said.

No waiting lists are anticipated since passage of Initiative 155 provided money for an additional 29,000 slots. Pre-existing conditions do not disqualify anyone from coverage.

The initiative passed by voters required that one-third of the tax dollars collected on insurance policies sold in Montana be dedicated to these programs. Before the vote, these tax dollars went into the general fund.

The Flathead's plan for outreach includes working with schools, the health department, Abbie Shelter, Salvation Army, Northwest Montana Human Resources, urgent care and emergency rooms, health and job fairs and the community health center.

Doely said people interested in finding insurance for their child may contact the health department at 751-8155 for more information. Families may also download an application from the Internet at www.hmk.mt.gov.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.