Kaua’i families who don’t have medical insurance for their children may soon benefit from a new health program that makes it easier to get information about and enroll in the MedQUEST free health insurance program. The Hawai’i Covering Kids &
Kaua’i families who don’t have medical insurance for their children may soon benefit from a new health program that makes it easier to get information about and enroll in the MedQUEST free health insurance program.
The Hawai’i Covering Kids & Families project, under the Hawai’i Primary Care Association, announced Thursday they received a $700,000 grant from the New Jersey-based health care philanthropy group Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
CKF is a nationwide initiative from RWJF totaling $55 million over four years, to help states and local communities increase the number of children who benefit from health insurance programs. Their main goal is to identify and enroll 100 percent of youth receive and benefit from medical insurance.
“In this project, we will look at coordinating the enrollment of children who qualify for MedQUEST and Medicaid through private health care providers,” said Barbara Luksch, project director.
The MedQUEST program provides health coverage through managed care plans for eligible lower-income Hawai’i residents. Those under 19 may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
As of May 31, there were 4,246 CHIP recipients on Kaua’i. There are 6,847 total QUEST recipients on Kaua’i and about 125,000 people in the state, according to MedQUEST figures. In Hawai’i, 8.9 percent of children do not have health insurance, according to statistics from the Urban Institute 2000.
“Kids without health insurance is a major issue. Parents delay seeking health care; often kids end up in an emergency room, and that’s not a good place for a kid without insurance to be,” Luksch said.
“Thousands of Hawai’i’s parents and guardians do not realize their keiki qualify for QUEST or Medicaid,” Luksch said.
To receive QUEST, there are age and residency requirements. For example, children from a family of five can qualify if the monthly gross household income is less than $3,755; about $45,000 yearly income.
CFK’s program will simplify MedQUEST’s enrollment and renewal process, coordinate outreach programs and coordinate existing health insurance programs.
CKF will create an electronic application, translate information into 22 languages and continue the “Ask Aloha United Way” telephone hotline. Education is a big part of the program, especially in public and private high schools, businesses and health care organizations. Covering Kids and Families hopes to replicate the system on other islands, Luksch said.
Ho’ola Lahui Hawai’i is the agency that will implement the outreach and networking program on Kaua’i. They will hire two outreach workers; create a network of private health care providers (dentists, physicians and mental health practitioners); and set up a telephone number for people to get MedQUEST resource and benefits information.
Half of the $700,000 grant money will be divided among different pilot projects in the state, but CKF must get $700,000 in matching local funds. Luksch said they are approaching the HMSA foundation, Hawai’i Community Foundation, Verizon Foundation, Castle Foundation and other groups.
