Barriers to enrollment in a state child health insurance program

Citation
A. Kempe et al., Barriers to enrollment in a state child health insurance program, AMBU PEDIAT, 1(3), 2001, pp. 169-177
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics
Journal title
AMBULATORY PEDIATRICS
ISSN journal
15301567 → ACNP
Volume
1
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
169 - 177
Database
ISI
SICI code
1530-1567(200105/06)1:3<169:BTEIAS>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Objective.-To identify barriers to enrollment into Colorado's Child Health Insurance Plan (CHP) for non-Hispanic (NH), Hispanic (H), and uninsured fam ilies. Design.-Telephone survey of 1) random samples of families who requested an application but did not complete it (N = 273 NH, N = 159 H) and 2) families with uninsured children identified by random-digit-dial statewide surveys (N = 165). Results.-Major reasons for not enrolling included 1) got other insurance (N H 16.5%; H 27.2% P <.01) 2) thought household income was too high to qualif y (NH 21.0%; H 11.9% P =.01), and 3) paperwork (NH 13.4%; H 14.7%, P = NS). Of those who thought their income was too high (N = 76, 17.6%), 58.5% appe ared eligible based on reported income. Of uninsured families, only 41.7% h ad heard of CHP+. Of those who had never applied, major remediable reasons included not knowing enough about the program (20.9%) and thinking househol d income was too high (9.3%). Conclusions.-Effective marketing and education to increase awareness of CHP + and ensure understanding of eligibility are critical to the success of th e program.