LOW-COST HEALTH PLAN FOR KIDS DRAWS INTEREST

Working parents who haven't been able to afford health insurance for their children are being encouraged to apply for Missouri's MC+ for Kids program.

The program, part of the national Insure Kids Now initiative, provides free or low-cost health coverage to uninsured children in low- to middle-income families, said Kathleen Steele, director of Region VII of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Steele was in Cape Girardeau to promote the insurance program that is being funded through a $34 billion federal authorization to the states, which must match the federal funds.

Steele said the awareness campaign, with the theme "Back to School, Back to Health," is being tied to the beginning of school so children can enjoy a healthy start to the new school year.

"Studies have shown that children who aren't healthy don't do as well in the classroom," Steele said. "And the children who don't have access to health care are typically those who lack insurance."

Parents who could benefit from the program include those who are self-employed, employed at a company that offers insurance to workers but not their families or have a child with a pre-existing condition not covered by the parents' insurance, Steele said.

The maximum annual income to qualify for the Missouri program is 300 percent above the federal poverty level, or approximately $49,000 for a family of four.

Steele said cost to a family to enroll their children in the program depends on income and family size. It ranges from free to around $100 per month, she said. Co-payments, usually around $10 per doctor visit, may be required of some families based on income, she said.

The services covered include hospital care, regular check-ups, immunizations, visits to the doctor and dentist, medications, school and sports physicals, vision and hearing care and mental health services.

"You do have to go to those health care providers that participate in MC+," Steele said. "Generally, providers who participate in state Medicaid program would provide for this program."

State officials estimate that nearly 90,000 children in Missouri quality for the MC+ program. After one year of the program's existence, about 51 percent, or 47,000 children, have enrolled.

Vicki Smith, chief executive officer at Cross Trails Medical Center, which is a provider for MC+, said there has been a "fairly good" response at that clinic.

"We have posters up about the program, and they have drawn a good bit of interest," said Smith. Cross Trails doesn't evaluate the applications or make determinations of eligibility, but the clinic does have enrollment forms and some information on the insurance program. It is planning an enrollment day Oct. 6.

Steele said she thinks more parents would enroll if they just knew about the program.

"We are encouraging school personnel, ministers, care givers, relatives and neighbors to inform those who might be qualified about the program," Steele said.

For more information, on the MC+ for Kids program, call toll-free (888) 275-5908. Calls are automatically routed by area code into the state where the phone call is made, Steele said. This gives Missouri residents information about the Missouri program, Illinois residents information about that state's program. Each state sets its own qualifications for the program.

COULD MY CHILD QUALIFY?

Income qualifications for the MC+ for Kids program

If your income falls at or below the amount on the chart, your children may be eligible for MC+ for Kids or other state-sponsored health insurance coverage.

Number of family members Annual income under

2 $32,550

3 $40,950

4 $49,350

5 $57,750

NOTE: These numbers are approximate. If your family income is slightly more than the amounts on the chart, your children may still qualify. The best way to find out if your children are eligible is to apply for the program.