HHS Approves Streamlined Application, Premium Elimination for Colorado CHIP Program
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson has approved two changes to Colorado's separate, non-Medicaid CHIP program, called CHP+, allowing the state to expand the program to cover "more children who otherwise would not have coverage." The move will permit the state to eliminate monthly premiums and charge a "nominal" $25 annual enrollment fee for one child or $35 for eligible families with two or more children earning incomes between 150% and 185% of the federal poverty level -- or between $26,475 and $32,652 annually for a family of four. In addition, HHS will allow Colorado to simplify the state's CHIP application and enrollment process. "Colorado's efforts to streamline eligibility and make the program more affordable demonstrate how popular this program is with states and how vital it has proven to be for the families enrolled," Thompson said. Colorado's CHIP covers children up to age 18 in families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level. The state expects to cover 29,743 children this year (HCFA release, 3/29).
Colorado's Administrative Changes
In other Colorado CHIP news, the state Health Department has given "tentative" approval to an El Paso County plan that would reduce administrative burdens and expand the pool of participating physicians, the Colorado Springs Gazette reports. To "streamline" the application process, the plan would create a site that would determine eligibility for CHP+ or Medicaid in one step; the current process requires families to apply for and get denied from Medicaid before applying for CHP+. To increase provider participation, the county may contract with "at least one large HMO" or expand an HMO already covering CHP+ patients through "incentives offered by the state." In addition, the plan would create a county liaison to assist CHP+ patients and doctors with problems. The Gazette reports that state officials will "hammer out" the details of the proposal over the next three months. Colorado lost $19 million in federal matching funds last fiscal year because of an "underenrollment" in CHP+
-- with only 1,700 out of 9,200 eligible children enrolled, El Paso County has the state's lowest CHP+ enrollment rate (Radford, Colorado Springs Gazette, 3/26).
