Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Summer 1999)
TOPIC: Insuring Your Health: Child Health Plan Plus
 
by tom johnson

If your family earns too much money to qualify for Medicaid, and yet health insurance still seems hopelessly out of reach, don't despair. Your children may qualify for an underutilized, state-run insurance program called Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).

CHP+ is a full-coverage health plan designed to insure children of lower-income families.
The program is run by the State of Colorado and financed with state and federal funds. In addition to hospital services and doctors' visits, the plan covers mental healthcare, prescriptions, eyeglasses and a variety of other goods and services.

"Our program is meant for families with lower incomes who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but make too little to afford health insurance," says Susan Tyler of Child Health Plan Plus.

about child health plan plus

On Nov. 1, 2003, enrollment in CHP+ was capped by the state due to budget constraints. If you are currently enrolled and need to renew your enrollment, you may do so by calling 407-7959 or stopping by the Health District, 120 Bristlecone Drive. Please check back to see if the enrollment cap has been lifted for families who've never enrolled in the program.

For more information about CHP+, call 407-7959 or Colorado Child Health Plan at (800) 359-1991.

"There are thousands of families who fall into this gap. Child Health Plan Plus can help."

CHP+ is available to permanent U.S. resident families at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, which is determined in part by family size. For example, a family of four with an annual income of less than $30,433 would qualify for the plan. (Check for most recent eligibility: call 407-7959)

"Even if your income is too high, you're encouraged to apply," says Janet Pancoast, eligibility coordinator at the Health District. "Certain deductions may help lower your effective income, and thus help you qualify."

In Larimer County, nearly 8,000 children qualify for the plan. As a rule of thumb, if your children qualify for the School Lunch Program, they will probably qualify for either CHP+ or Medicaid.

CHP+ operates much like any other health plan. Families pay a small monthly premium, based on family size and income level. Upon visiting a health care provider, a small co-payment is due. With a referral from CHP+, children covered by the plan can see specialists or even visit the Children's Hospital in Denver without incurring additional costs.

"The most a family would have to pay is $30 each month," says Patty Walker, financial counselor for the Children's Clinic. "After that, almost all medical costs are covered."