Objective: Locate and enroll uninsured Native American children into the Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP) program by overcoming barriers, including the belief that insurance is not needed because of access to Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal, or Urban facilities; fear of government; and misinformation on eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP. The overall goal is to enroll and retain 700 children into Medicaid from April 2010 through March 2013.
Description:. The Indian Health Care Resource Center (IHCRC) implemented enrollment strategies in April 2010 to focus on patients and the local Native American community for the agency’s CHIPRA program that targets Native American children under age 19 in Tulsa. Selected enrollment strategies enabled enrollment to be done in the most convenient method for families, including at a clinic, at an event, or over the phone. For outreach, the IHCRC partnered with Indian Education to distribute information to parents, speak at parent meetings, and publish information in their newsletters. Community partners allowed IHCRC to distribute information and do onsite enrollment at community events.
Results: Enrolled and renewed a total of 3,744 children into Medicaid/CHIP.
Population of Focus: American Indian or Alaska Native, Children
Setting: Media, Parks & recreation, Primary care facility, School, Urban, Virtual/Web-based
Level of Intervention: Individual, Family, Community
Resources/Qualifications Needed: Powerpoint presentations, brochures
Partners: The organization formed partnerships with local public schools, Indian Education programs, and community partners, including head start and private businesses.
Contact
Jennifer Hamma, CHIPRA Project Coordinator
jhamma@ihcrc.org
405-948-4900
Indian Health Care Resource Center
550 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74120
www.ihcrc.org