Do youth you serve have health insurance?

Health Check / NC Health Choice Orientation for Department of Juvenile Justice and

Delinquency Prevention Court Counselors

Why is it important?

YOU want youth to have the range of services they need.

YOU are an important resource to either provide or link youth to these services.

YOU can improve access to services for the youth you serve by helping them get insured.

Do you need to be an expert to promote NC’s child health

insurance programs?

No. Families just need to know that North Carolina offers two child health insurance programs.

A simple handout (an “envelope stuffer”) helps families determine if they qualify and provides a Web site and toll-free number for more information.

This presentation provides a brief overview of the child health insurance programs to help you feel more comfortable in your outreach role.

What child health insurance programs does North Carolina

offer?

North Carolina has two health insurance programs for children and youth:

Health Check (Medicaid)

N.C. Health Choice

• Both are similar in what they offer

• One application is used to determine eligibility for both programs

• They are marketed together

What are the benefits?

Regular Checkups

Sick Visits

Medicines

Immunizations

Vision & Hearing Care

Dental Care

Counseling

Lab Tests

Medical Equip & Supplies

Hospital Care

Therapies

Surgery

Additional benefits may be available for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. Call 1-800-737-3028 for more information.

Why market the two programs together?

Children may cross over from Health Check to NC Health Choice as they age.

Families may have children in different programs.

As a family’s income changes, their children may go back and forth between programs.

200% ($44,100)*

100% ($22,050)*

*Annual income for a family of 4 0 1 6 18

Age (years)

Health Check Income Guidelines

as of April 1, 2009

Pov

erty

Lev

el (

%)

NC Health Choice

Income Guidelines

How can a family determine if their youth is likely to qualify?

Family Size Monthly Income

2 $2,429

3 $3,052

4 $3,675

5 $4,299

6 Add $624 for each additional family member.

Income guidelines* (valid 4/1/09 – 3/31/10)

*Income before taxes. Youth from families who earn more may qualify if they have child care, work-related or child support expenses.

In addition…

For both programs, the youth must:

Be a N.C. resident

Be under age 19 (21 in some cases)

Be eligible based on family income

Provide or apply for a Social Security number

Is a youth of immigrant parents eligible?

Yes, if the youth was born in the USA and they qualify based on the family’s income.

The youth will need a Social Security Number to apply.

Maybe, if the youth was born abroad.It depends on their immigration status. Check with the local department of social services to find out.

Note: Parents and youth DO NOT hurt their chances for naturalization by applying for children’s health insurance!!

How much does coverage cost?

Health Check (Medicaid):

No annual enrollment fee

N.C. Health Choice:

Annual enrollment fee depends on the family’s income.

Some families have NO annual enrollment fee

Some families pay $50 per child or $100 for 2 or more children

How can youth or their families obtain an application for Health Check / N.C. Health

Choice?

To get an application:

Call the N.C Family Health Resource Line 1-800-367-2229

Go online to www.NCHealthyStart.org.

Visit the “FOR THE PUBLIC” section and look for “Child Health Insurance.”

Pick up a form at the local department of social services or health department.

What if the family needs help filling out the application?

If the family needs help filling out the application, encourage them to visit their local department of social services.

DSS can answer the family’s questions and take their application when it is complete!

What if the family completes the application on their own? Then

what?Families can mail or take the application to their local department of social services. Remind them to:

Attach copies of wage stubs or proof of income for the previous month.

Include a phone number where the DSS worker can call if they have a question!

For U.S. Citizens, the DSS will also need proof of citizenship and identity (for example, a certified U.S. birth certificate and government-issued photo identification card). DSS can help families obtain these documents.

Social Services will notify the family by mail to let them know if they qualify. This can take up to 45 days.

If they qualify they will get an insurance card and benefits booklet in the mail.

Encourage newly enrolled youth to make the most of their health

insurance!Encourage youth and their families to:

Choose a doctorEvery youth needs a “Medical Home.” The doctor can help you coordinate care needed by the youth you serve.

Make an appointment for a checkupThen they will have a trusted place to go when problems arise.

Call the doctor anytimeWhenever youth or their families have health-related questions.

Read the benefits handbooksThey are available online at the www.NCHealthyStart.org Child Health Insurance Web Site. The books have lots of information about benefits and resources.

Help your families stay enrolled!

Remind youth and their families that they need to RE-ENROLL each year!

Tell them to look for their re-enrollment packet in the mail.

Explain how important it is for families to let the local department of social services know if they move!

So… How can DJJDP Court Counselors help?

What resources are available?

How can DJJDP Court Counselors help?

Learn about the state’s child health insurance programs so that you feel comfortable promoting Health Check (Medicaid for Children) and NC Health Choice. You do not have to be an expert!

Display Health Check/NC Health Choice Posters.

Complete the NC JOIN Family Data Sheet “Medical Insurance Profile”:Ask if the youth is currently insured by Health Check (Medicaid), NC Health Choice or private insurance.

Enter the youth’s insurance information.

Distribute an “envelope stuffer” if the youth is currently uninsured and encourage them to enroll.

Keep a small supply of “application forms” on hand if the family is ready to apply (or you can print the form through the link from the DJJDP Web Site: http://www.ncdjjdp.org/employment/employee_news.html) OR go directly to http://www.nchealthystart.org/outreach/DJJDP/index.htm.

Remind them of the need to re-enroll once a year and that a re-enrollment packet will arrive by mail. To receive it their address must be kept current with the local DSS.

Every 90 days, update the Medical Insurance Profile. If the youth was previously uninsured, this is an opportunity to see if they enrolled in Health Check/NC Health Choice.

For Court Counselors working with youth about to be discharged from a Youth Development Center, coordinate with the local DSS in the youth’s county of residence so that eligibility can begin on the date of discharge.

Refer families who have questions or need more information to the toll-free number or Web site listed on the envelope stuffer.

Encourage families to go to their local DSS if they need help filling out the application form.

What resources are available?

North Carolina Healthy Start FoundationCampaign and materials development

Provides FREE bilingual (English/Spanish) envelope stuffers, posters, and application forms!

The fact sheets have been translated into 6 additional languages

(Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Montagnard, Vietnamese).

Materials can be ordered online, by fax or by mail.

Go to www.NCHealthyStart.org and click on the “Order” link.

OR link to everything you need from the DJJDP web site: http://www.ncdjjdp.org/employment/employee_news.html (See next slide)

What resources are available?

North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Web Site

http://www.ncdjjdp.org/employment/employee_news.html

Links court counselors to Health Check (Medicaid) & NC Health Choice materialson the “DJJDP Partnership” page of the NC Healthy Start Foundation Web Site at http://www.nchealthystart.org/outreach/DJJDP/index.htm:

Orientation PPT PresentationFacts at a Glance HandoutChild Health Insurance Applications in English and SpanishListing of Local DSS Addresses and Phone Numbers Online Order Form [To order FREE bilingual (English/Spanish) envelope stuffers, posters and application forms].Directory of Health Check Coordinators [Local outreach staff].Child Health Insurance Web Page

What resources are available?

North Carolina Family Health Resource Line

Services in English and Spanish

For Health Check / NC Health Choice:

Educates about child health insurance programs

Mails single copies of print materials/ application forms

Refers families and youth for local assistance

Helps link youth with health care providers

Advocates for families and youth who run into barriers

What resources are available?

Children with Special Health Care Needs Help Line

1-800-737-3028

A toll-free line for those living with, caring for or concerned about a child or youth with special health care needs.

Educates about Health Check / Health Choice insurance benefits

Provides information and referrals to other state and local resources

Links to providers/ specialists

Helps problem solve

For more information & to order materials

http://www.NCHealthyStart.org

For more information: Click on “For the Public”, then “Child Health Insurance”

To order materials: Click on “Order Form”

To access the “DJJDP Partnership” page on the NC Healthy Start Foundation Web Site go to: http://www.nchealthystart.org/outreach/DJJDP/index.htm:

Or…

• Link to everything you need from the DJJDP web site:

http://www.ncdjjdp.org/employment/employee_news.html

Questions?

For Questions About the Partnership Between DJJDP & the Division of Public Health:

Martin Pharr: 919-733-3388 (Ext. 8187) or Martin.Pharr@ncmail.netJudy Stephens: 919-733-3388 (Ext. 8243) or Judy.Stephens@ncmail.net

For Questions About Health Check / NC Health Choice:

Carolyn Sexton: 919-707-5642 or Carolyn.Sexton@ncmail.netLocal Health Check Coordinator

For Questions About Ordering Materials:

Ania Boer: 919-828-1819 or Ania@NCHealthyStart.org

Health Check / NC Health Choice Online Orientation for DJJDP Court Counselors

Training Session Participation

Please print out this slide, sign and date below

and turn into your supervisor.

Signature: ___________________ Date: _________

THANK YOU for improving access to services for the youth you serve by helping them get insured!