CMS launches $32 million initiative to enroll more uninsured children in CHIP
Rate of uninsured children was 6 percent in 2014, an all-time low.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Monday announced a $32 million initiative to drive down the number of uninsured children by supporting outreach to get families with children eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program enrolled.
The funds will support activities aimed at alerting families to the availability of free or low-cost health coverage under Medicaid and CHIP, identifying children likely to be eligible, and assisting families with the application and renewal process, CMS said.
Outreach efforts, as well as measures to simplify eligibility and enrollment, have helped reduce the rate of uninsured children to 6 percent in 2014, an all-time low, according to a recent Georgetown University study, CMS said.
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The Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grant funds through the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, continue the program first funded in 2009. To date, a total of about $126 million in grant funding has been awarded to help enroll eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP.
This is the fourth cycle of the initiative. A total of $32 million in federal funding over two years will be available.
CMS expects to award approximately 30 Cycle IV cooperative agreements ranging in size from $250,000 to $1 million over a two-year period.
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State and local governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, certain healthcare provider organizations, nonprofit organizations including community and faith-based groups and schools and school districts are eligible to apply.
Applicants are asked to target populations likely to be eligible for Medicaid and CHIP, but generally less likely to be enrolled. Examples of target populations include teens, Latino children and children in rural areas.
Proposals are due January 20.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
