Nearly every uninsured child in New York is currently eligible for either Medicaid or Child Health Plus, New York’s CHIP program.  Child Health Plus’s eligibility levels go as high as 400 percent of the federal poverty level with an affordable monthly premium sliding fee scale.  Unfortunately, an estimated 325,000 children in New York remain uninsured.  CDF-NY accepts the Secretary’s Challenge to work towards connecting these uninsured children to coverage utilizing the following multi-prong strategy:

Cut red tape. Work to simplify enrollment and renewal and reduce paperwork that creates unnecessary barriers to coverage for eligible children.

CDF-NY has worked diligently over the last decade to eliminate burdensome documentation requirements at application and renewal that serve as barriers to coverage.  In 2008, the State introduced self-attestation of income and residency documentation at renewal.   In August 2008, the finalized state budget further simplified documentation by: allowing individuals enrolled in community-based long term Medicaid (personal care services and home and community based waivers) to also attest to their income, residency and resources at renewal; and eliminating documentation of interest income (i.e., income generating from a bank account) so long as the amount does not affect their eligibility.  CDF-NY also worked hard to pass legislation that allows proof of enrollment in the School Meals Program to be used as income proof for children applying for Medicaid and Child Health Plus.  This new change is different than Express Lane Eligibility in that it is only an income documentation simplification and a full eligibility review is still required.  Additionally, in October 2010, the State introduced Social Security Administration data matching for United States applicants who will no longer be required to submit original citizenship and identity documentation. 

Despite these improvements, families still face considerable red tape when attempting to apply and renew their coverage.  In meeting the Secretary’s Challenge, CDF-NY is committed to advocating for the State to further eliminate documentation requirements.   CDF-NY will advocate for the elimination of documentation for residency, date of birth, and deduction-related expenses at application.  CDF-NY will also work to encourage the State to move towards implementing Express Lane Eligibility with a particular focus on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as its eligibility requirements and operating systems are the most prime for alignment and coordination.   Finally, CDF-NY will work with key advocates and the State Department of Health to further simplify the existing application for coverage and developing a glide path 2012 application with an eye towards health care reform implementation in 2014 . 

Capitalize on technology. Enable families to apply and check their eligibility online. Explore ways to use the telephone, text-messaging and other technology in outreach and enrollment.

In 2011, New York will be rolling out its Enrollment Center which will allow New Yorkers to renew their coverage by telephone.  CDF-NY will work with the State, advocates, and the statewide facilitated enrollment network to monitor the implementation of this new technology to help ensure New Yorkers are able to seamlessly maintain their coverage.  CDF-NY will also continue to work with New York City’s Human Resources Administration to ensure its online renewal tool is easy to use and to navigate.  CDF-NY will also publicize the release of the State’s online fill-and-print application as well as their new eligibility calculator that will help individuals understand what coverage they are eligible for.

Create opportunities to sign up. Reach out and help families enroll their children where they live, learn, play, work, worship, and go for health care or for help with other family needs. Strive to make enrollment assistance an ongoing and routine activity.

CDF-NY will continue to work with statewide community-based facilitated enrollers who are on the ground providing enrollment assistance in the communities where the uninsured live and work.  We will continue to provide technical assistance in the form of training and advocacy assistance to the community based facilitated enrollers and assist them in monitoring the experiences of individuals as they try to obtain coverage.  CDF-NY will also continue to advocate for the State to build its Consumer Assistance Program on the existing facilitated enrollment infrastructure that has grown to become the single most effective mechanism for finding the eligible yet uninsured.   Facilitated enrollers have grown expert in eligibility determination and managed care navigation for public health insurance programs.  Because they are on the front-lines of enrollment facilitated enrollers are accustomed to aggregating systemic problems and advocating for improvements with local districts of social services and with the State Department of Health.  Continuing to support the facilitated enrollment network will be a key strategy in further creating opportunities for the uninsured to connect to coverage.

Focus on retention. Take steps to help families renew their child’s coverage so that children stay covered for as long as they qualify and have consistent access to health care.

CDF-NY will continue to work to ensure children who are enrolled in coverage are able to maintain their insurance.  We will work to monitor the roll-out of New York City’s online renewal tool and monitor any processing delays when families attempt to renew their coverage.   

Forge partnerships. Engage public and private partners to magnify enrollment efforts.

CDF-NY will continue to engage public and private partners including small businesses, faith leaders, health providers, business leaders, social service agencies, and government officials.