Workshop: D8 - Successful Models for Enrolling and Retaining Children in Medicaid and CHIP through School-Based Health Clinics Part III

This workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 28th from 8:00am to 10:45am in Ballroom A.

Over the past year and a half, the Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care (CASBHC) has heard many stories about the impact of outreach and enrollment (O&E) for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at Colorado’s school-based health centers (SBHCs). All of these stories share a similar theme about the power of O&E in ensuring SBHC patients can access comprehensive care, including specialty care, when in need. One story has been on my mind lately. It is about a 6 year old girl who was uninsured when she visited her local SBHC. The on-site SBHC O&E staff person worked with the family to enroll her in Medicaid. During a SBHC visit, a heart murmur was detected. After referrals to a local pediatrician and a pediatric cardiologist, a heart defect requiring surgery was detected. Fortunately, due to her recent Medicaid coverage, the young girl is able to access all the care she needs, including the heart surgery. This SBHC played a critical role in this child’s life. Not only did the provider identify an important health finding, but through O&E they ensured access to comprehensive care within the clinic and beyond. The O&E work at Colorado’s SBHCs has changed many children and families lives. But we have also found that it is changing Colorado’s SBHCs. Through our federal Children Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) O&E grant, CASBHC has been able to increase the capacity for SBHCs to perform O&E on-site. During our grant period, we have seen many SBHCs grow the number of children covered by Medicaid and CHIP, in turn increasing their billable revenue. Ensuring SBHCs implement an effective outreach model is the key to success. During our CHIPRA grant, we have uncovered many lessons learned about effective and efficient O&E at SBHCs and are excited to share this information with SBHCs across the country.

Stacey Moody
Director of Member Services
Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care