Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Summer 2001)

A year ago, Cathy Bottoms found herself in a position no mother wants to be in—without health insurance for her children.

"I went through every day hoping nothing would happen to them," Bottoms says of her two sons, now ages 10 and 13. 

As a nursing student and a part-time accounts receivable clerk for a group of physicians, Bottoms was all too aware of the staggering costs of medical care for the uninsured. But she was also aware of the high cost of getting an individual insurance policy—a cost that she just couldn't afford. 

Bottoms makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford an individual policy for her boys. The state estimates that 75,000 Colorado children fall through the sizable crack between Medicaid and commercial insurance.

For more than a decade, the state has attempted to fill that crack. In 1990, legislation passed to establish the first insurance program for low-income, non-Medicaid children. The Colorado Child Health Plan provided outpatient and preventive services to children age 8 and younger in low-income families.

In 1998, a federal program was established to provide coverage for children whose families are in the income bracket just above Medicaid qualification. With the federal government matching state dollars two-to-one, the Colorado plan expanded to a full range of services for children up to age 19. At the same time, the program was renamed the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).

Now, the challenge is getting the word out.

It has been estimated that only 40 percent of eligible children in Colorado are enrolled in CHP+. In Larimer County, about 1,600 of the 3,567 children eligible for CHP+ are enrolled.

Last year alone, Colorado returned $8 million in federal aid due to under-enrollment.

"Because it's a government program, people assume that if they're working they aren't eligible," says Diane Miller, director of CHP+ outreach efforts for Larimer County. "They don't realize this program was created especially for their families."

A family of four can have an income of up to $32,653 and be eligible for CHP+. A single parent with one child can earn up to $21,479 and still qualify for the program. Families pay an enrollment fee of up to $25 for one child or $35 for two or more children. Families are also responsible for co-payments of $0-$2 for office visits and prescriptions. There are no monthly premiums.

"Considering how many children are without insurance that could have it, it's an important message to get out," Miller says.

To help do that, the CHP+ Outreach Project was founded last fall thanks to funding from the states, the Health District, the Community Foundation Serving Northern Colorado, and the United Way.

Miller is taking her message to schools, community agencies, businesses and anyone else willing to listen. When she began her job at the end of last year, about 40 percent of the county's eligible children were enrolled in the program. Her goal is to have that percentage up to 50 percent by the end of September. Her long-term goal is to have 90 percent of children enrolled within three years.

One place where the word is out is among physicians.

"We're fortunate here because the vast majority of doctors accept CHP+," Miller says. 

The Fort Collins Youth Clinic has been taking CHP+ since the program went into effect in 1998.

"It takes care of a segment of the population that had nothing before," says Jeanette Perich, head administrator at the clinic.

In addition to Miller's outreach efforts there are two full-time counselors who help people fill out the paperwork associated with applying for the insurance and will even make home visits.

Bottoms urges families to make the effort to apply for CHP+.

"People don't think they're qualified, but they might be," she says. "And if there is any chance they can get coverage for their kids, they should try.

"There's no greater relief for a parent than knowing your children's medical needs are taken care of."