KidsCare annual report

              The AHCCCS Administration provides this Annual KidsCare Report to the Governor, President of the Senate,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and the Director of the Department of Library
Archives and Public Records in accordance with Laws 1998, Ch. 4 § 9. The reporting period is from October 1,
1998 to September 30, 1999.
FIGURE 1 shows the dramatic increase in KidsCare enrollment from its inception in November 1998 through
September 1999.
         	
  

              
KidsCare began its inaugural year on November 1, 1998. As of October 1, 1999, KidsCare has enabled
40,000 additional children who had been previously uninsured to gain access to health insurance. This is
nearly a 1700 percent increase from a total enrollment of 2252 in November 1998. The KidsCare
Administration, in partnership with many community organizations, has made a difference.
Figure 1 shows the total
number of children with
health insurance
because of KidsCare.
Children were either
enrolled in KidsCare or
Medicaid due to the
KidsCare outreach
efforts. As of October
1, 1999, 39,949
children now have
health insurance as a
result of these efforts.
This figure represents a
1674 percent increase
from the total
enrollment since
November 1998.
1674% increase in the
number of children with
health coverage due to
KidsCare.
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
Medicaid Enrollment due to KidsCare
Applications
741 1878 3706 5217 7812 9884 11792 13107 14531 16938 18693
Actual KidsCare Only 2252 3710 5283 8194 10578 11458 12766 13444 14985 16066 18167 21256
Totals 2252 4451 7161 11900 15795 19270 22650 25236 28092 30597 35105 39949
Nov 1 Dec 1 Jan 1 Feb 1 Mar 1 Apr 1 May 1 Jun 1 Jul 1 Aug 1 Sep 1 Oct 1
A nearly 1700
percent increase.
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BUDGET
For State Fiscal Year 1999, actual total expenditures
were $10,083,774 for KidsCare. In State Fiscal Year
2000, total expenditures are projected to be
$36,031,284. Based on current enrollment numbers,
federal and state funding percentages are sufficient for
the upcoming year. Therefore, an enrollment cap is not
necessary at this time.
FamiliesSpeak
KidsCare touches the lives of many Arizonans.
Everyday, outreach staff see many people without
insurance for their children. It is exciting and
encouraging to know that this program can make such
an impact on a family by providing health care for
children. Many people are extremely grateful that the
state has recognized a need for supplying their children
with the care they need. These are their voices:
“This program is a godsend.”
“We really needed this program.”
“I love being able to call if there is a problem, they
direct me where to go. I love KidsCare and I am so
grateful that someone thought of this program.”
“KidsCare is a blessing.”
“I love the security of knowing I can take my sick
daughter to the doctor…”
“I love this program…. They have been a lifesaver.”
Source: Quotes are from Arizona families, who applied
to KidsCare through outreach efforts. Riester-Robb
received these quotes while working with outreach staff.
COORDINATION &
INNOVATION
AHCCCS has streamlined the application
process by developing a simplified two-page
application, which can be used for an eligibility
determination for both KidsCare and Medicaid.
Applications are in both Spanish and English,
while interpreter services are available upon
request. The application process has been
simplified with a mail-in application, thus
eliminating an applicant’s need to make an
office visit. An applicant may also call a toll
free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for
assistance.
In addition, AHCCCS has developed a
universal application form that will allow
applicants to file an application for all AHCCCS
programs using one application form. The
application will be screened and referred to the
appropriate eligibility unit or agency for an
eligibility determination. Programs to be
included are Medicaid, KidsCare and State-funded
programs.
Ethnicity of all KidsCare Children who have
been Approved as of 10/01/99
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FIGURE 2 shows the ethnicity of KidsCare children as
reported by the applicant.
The AHCCCS Administration is pleased with the support KidsCare has received from the business
community. Sponsorships by major corporations and companies include: Osco Drugs, Bashas,
Hickman’s Eggs, Video Update, Domino’s Pizza, Diamondbacks, and Arizona Thunder. In addition, the
KidsCare logo has been placed on neighborhood ice cream carts (paletas) in Hispanic neighborhoods.
St. Luke’s Charitable Health Trust has awarded seven grants to community groups for outreach, while
the Children’s Action Alliance under their Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Covering Kids” grant has
awarded three grants to community groups.
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• While the KidsCare Administration is not recommending program changes for the upcoming fiscal
year, it has been busy with incorporating recent changes to Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) and
working toward accomplishing major outreach goals. Initially, and during this reporting period of
October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999, income thresholds were set at 150% of FPL.
Beginning October 1, 1999 income levels have been raised to 200% of the FPL. KidsCare continues
to extend health care coverage statewide for children up to age 19.
• The KidsCare Administration is excited about the upcoming year and the prospect of becoming more
involved with the community.
• The KidsCare Administration is also looking forward to focusing on outreach opportunities within
the community.
FIGURE 3 shows that the word is getting out on KidsCare. For the
month of October 1999, KidsCare received nearly 3000 applications to its
program. The KidsCare hotline alone has received 5932 calls in the
month of October, up from 3585 calls in the month of September.
KidsCare has taken its
outreach efforts out on the
road. Working with Riester-
Robb, a contracted
advertising/PR firm, the
KidsCare-avan travels
across the state, particularly
to rural areas to promote and
raise public awareness of the
program. Through media
contacts, interviews,
community and sporting
events, the KidsCare
outreach efforts are making a
difference. The KidsCare-avan
is staffed with 2 bi-lingual
and energetic people,
who have an inflatable party
bouncer. These efforts have
been particularly successful
in reaching smaller
communities.
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