Area Schools To Distribute Information On Children’s Health Insurance Programs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In Alabama, there is virtually no reason for a child to be without health insurance. Currently there are three insurance programs coordinated through the Alabama Department of Public Heath that provide coverage for children under the age of 19: ALL Kids, SOBRA Medicaid and the Child Caring Foundation.

All three programs can be accessed through a simplified joint application. Enrollment assistance is available from “Covering Alabama Kids,” a statewide program housed at The University of Alabama.

Meredith Roberts, state educator of Covering Alabama Kids, said because of an Alabama Department of Public Health effort, information on these programs and how to apply for them will be distributed to all Alabama schools by school nurses during January and February.

“The challenge lies in reaching these families to whom coverage is available,” said Roberts. “Many families cannot afford or do not have insurance coverage offered through their jobs, yet they earn too much to receive other assistance.”

Roberts noted that these programs are available for families with a moderate income. For example, a family of four can have an annual income of $34,100 and be eligible for the ALL Kids program. Other eligibility requirements for ALL Kids include: the child being an Alabama resident younger than 19, having no health insurance and parents not having voluntarily dropped health coverage from their employers in the last three months; and not being eligible for Medicaid or dependent coverage under state employee’s insurance.

Currently more than half of the estimated 169,000 uninsured children have enrolled in one of these programs.

“Alabama has been working hard to enroll eligible children,” said Roberts. “Yet, many children remain uninsured and the programs remain under utilized,” she added.

For more information on these programs or to learn how you can help promote these programs in your area, contact Roberts at the ALL Kids office at 205/348-9634. Also, for application information, call 1-888-373-kids.