PROGRAM PROVIDES HEALTH COVERAGE IF IN-BETWEEN

When Katheryn Fobbs' 5-year-old daughter catches a cold or strep throat virus, she can visit the doctor without worry. Her daughter is covered by a free insurance program developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri.

And like Fobbs of Jackson, more parents in Southeast Missouri now have the opportunity to receive insurance coverage for their children with the help of a nonprofit corporation.

The Caring Program for Children now has openings for at least 600 Missouri children who don't qualify for Medicaid but whose parents cannot afford private insurance. Applications can be picked up at the state Division of Family Services office at 130 S. Frederick in Cape Girardeau.

For 18 years, Fobbs had insurance coverage through her employer. When the Brown Shoe factory closed, she lost her insurance coverage but didn't quite qualify for Medicaid. And she didn't have enough money to cover the expense of buying insurance from a private company.

So she joined the Caring Program for Children and has had insurance coverage ever since.

"I think it's good insurance because it's better than Medicaid," Fobbs said, adding that there's less hassle when you file a claim. "It's not like Medicaid. It tells you what it covers. When I have an emergency in the middle of the night, I can call them."

The program is a nice partnership of people concerned for those who would have no health care otherwise, said Lee Michelson, executive director for the Caring Program for Children.

About 4,000 children from across the state receive insurance through the program. About 25 percent of the population in Southeast Missouri is eligible.

"It's not a cure for all but it helps those who fall through the cracks," Michelson said. In Missouri, about 200,000 children -- about one child in seven -- is uninsured.

The insurance applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so there are no priorities or quotas, he said, adding that the program is completely free to the families.

The Caring Program for Children began in 1988 as a community service project of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri. The insurance company underwrites administrative expenses and cooperates with fund-raising activities. Since 1988, the program has helped about 11,000 children in Missouri.

As the program expands, Fobbs hopes that more doctors in the area will get involved.

Area hospitals and doctors who participate in the program are paid at a discount rate by the insurance company. There is an emphasis on primary, preventive and emergency care like immunizations, office visits, accidental injuries and outpatient care. Within a year, the program might include a prescription drug card as well, Michelson said.

The Caring Program accepts unmarried children up to age 19. Although there are no health screenings, each family must meet certain income criteria. There are no limits on how many children per family can apply.

Proceeds from a weekend soccer tournament here helped benefit the program, Michelson said. Donations to the program are also accepted. For more information, call 1-800-392-8740, Ext. 6300.