60,000 KCHIP Eligible Kids Without Coverage

Kentucky has 93,000 uninsured kids, 60,000 of whom are eligible for KCHIP. Even so these children are not enrolled. This report was recently released by Kentucky Voices for Health. Families whose average income is lower than 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for KCHIP for their kids. Families who have incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level receive KCHIP without cost and children in families with higher incomes contribute $20 per month.

Inspite of an increase in uninsured children, the enrollment in KCHIP has been flat. Many families do not enroll children due to lack of awareness or problems in compliance with the enrollment process. The parents have to meet with a state employee for enrollment. Additionally it is said that the state is not promoting the program well enough

According to a recommendation the applications should be accepted through mail or online and the in person meeting requirement should be dropped. Places where enrollment can happens should also increase. Due to increasing costs the Medicaid program has not been expanded. Medicaid faces a shortfall of $180 million in this years state budget.