News: CoverKids Reopens Enrollment to Children

After a four month closure of enrollment to the program due to state budget constraints, Governor Bredesen recently announced the reopening of enrollment to the CoverKids Program which provides government-funded health insurance coverage to uninsured children in Tennessee. Enrollment in CoverKids reopened on March 1, 2010.

CoverKids provides free, comprehensive health coverage for qualifying children 18 and younger. The coverage includes an emphasis on preventive health services and coverage for physician services, hospitals, vaccinations, well-child visits, healthy babies program, developmental screenings, mental health, vision and dental care. There are low co-pays for medical services, though well child visits and immunizations are covered at 100 percent.

For more information on the program please visit the following link: http://www.covertennessee.gov/web/cover_kids.html

Previous Story: CoverKids Enrollment Suspension After November 30, 2009

CoverKids will stop accepting new enrollment applications after November 30, 2009. Current members will remain enrolled in the program and will not be affected by the change, providing they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Details about the change are included below under Frequently Asked Questions. You may also call 1-866-620-8864 for more information.

CoverKids provides free, comprehensive health coverage for qualifying children 18 and younger. The coverage includes an emphasis on preventive health services and coverage for physician services, hospitals, vaccinations, well-child visits, healthy babies program, developmental screenings, mental health, vision and dental care. There are low co-pays for medical services, though well child visits and immunizations are covered at 100 percent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is CoverKids enrollment closing?
CoverKids will suspend new enrollment after Nov. 30, 2009 for all categories. This will be the
last day someone can apply for coverage through the program.

2. Why is CoverKids enrollment closing?
Since opening in 2007, CoverKids has operated within its budget appropriation. Current
program enrollment is nearing the capacity allowed by the budget and, therefore, enrollment
must be suspended.

3. When will enrollment reopen?
Program enrollment naturally decreases due to children aging off the plan or parents finding
other health insurance. CoverKids will begin accepting new applications as space and funding
allow, although there is no set date for this to happen.

4. What will enrollment need to be in order to reopen?
It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact enrollment number that would enable CoverKids to reopen
enrollment, as available funds will be the primary driver for such a change.

5. Is there a waiting list for enrollment?
No. There is not a waiting list for CoverKids.

6. Why is there no waiting list?
Suspending enrollment without a waiting list is the most efficient way to manage the current
issue. Because a family’s eligibility for CoverKids can change suddenly and since the date for
reopening enrollment is unknown, applications on a waiting list could become out of date very
quickly.

7. Are current members affected by this change?
No. Those currently enrolled in CoverKids are not impacted by the enrollment suspension.
They will continue to be covered by the plan as long as they continue to meet eligibility
requirements.

8. Can I buy into the CoverKids program even though enrollment is closed?
No. Enrollment in CoverKids will be completely closed to all new members after Nov. 30, 2009.

9. What is CoverKids current budget?
CoverKids has a current budget of $29 million in state funding, which is in addition to $87
million federal matching funds.

10. How many children are enrolled in CoverKids?
CoverKids has nearly 42,000 members as of Sept. 30, 2009.

11. What other options exist for children who don’t have health insurance?
Children who would typically apply for CoverKids may qualify for coverage through TennCare
or could be eligible for care from local Health Departments (an online directory is available at
http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm) or Federally Qualified Health Centers (an online
directory is available at https://m360.tnpca.org/frontend/search.aspx?cs=153).

For more information regarding CoverKids, please visit: http://www.covertn.gov/web/cover_kids.html