Eligible But Not Enrolled: How SCHIP Reauthorization Can Help

Publication Date:

Publisher:

Author(s): S. Dorn; The Urban Institute

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

Policy-makers across the political spectrum agree on the need to reach uninsured children who qualify for coverage through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). However, achieving this shared goal may not be easy. Since the enactment of SCHIP, states have pursued intensive outreach efforts to parents and greatly streamlined the process of applying for benefits. As a result, Medicaid and SCHIP now cover 79 percent of the two programs' target population—more than any other traditional means-tested program. Moving well beyond this level may require significant innovation.



According to this analysis from the Urban Institute, SCHIP reauthorization could give states the flexibility to draw on lessons from strategies recently developed by Medicare for providing Medicaid and SCHIP to eligible low-income kids. Medicare uses data accessible to public agencies to identify eligible low-income seniors and provide them with subsidies for health coverage. If the program learns that someone qualifies for assistance, the senior is not asked to fill out redundant forms before receiving help.