Utah lags behind nation in enrolling eligible children in CHIP

Utah lags behind nation in enrolling eligible children in CHIP

(File photo)


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Health insurance is available for children in low-income families throughout the nation, but fewer Utah families are taking advantage of it than almost anywhere else.

Utah is one of four states with Children's Health Insurance Program participation rates below 80 percent. Just 73.1 percent of eligible children are enrolled in the Beehive State, according to a report released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

That equates to about 50,000 to 55,000 kids needlessly without insurance, and Utah Department of Health spokeswoman Kolbi Young said the various reasons eligible families aren't enrolling aren't exactly clear.

"We are unable to pinpoint why these kids aren't enrolled," Young said Wednesday.

Enrollment in the taxpayer-funded, state-run insurance program has remained steady in the past year, even plateauing after outreach funding was revoked throughout the recent recession, she said.


Having insurance coverage is always a good idea. Especially with little ones, when emergencies arise, it means having that assurance that you can get their needs met. It gives families peace of mind.

–Utah Department of Health spokeswoman Kolbi Young


That means enrollment teams from within the state's health department haven't been hitting the pavement to enroll more kids since about 2007, and mass media campaigns have been dormant for years as well. Funding to cover those efforts has yet to be restored.

In the meantime, grass roots efforts by CHIP plans, including SelectHealth and Molina, have been reaching out to the public and getting information to families to enroll as many children as are eligible and apply.

Only Nevada has a smaller percentage of eligible children enrolled in the program, at 70 percent. The national average is 87.2 percent, with 19 states having participation rates of 90 percent or higher, according to 2011 data used to compile the report.

Since 2008, CHIP participation rates across the country have increased 5.5 percentage points, with gains each year, showing no evidence of a nationwide enrollment plateau, the foundation reports.

The number of children eligible but uninsured dropped from 4.9 million in 2008 to 4 million in 2011, the latest data available, according to the report, which is an update to a 2012 report by the Urban Institute.

While many states could improve enrollment rates, the future health insurance market remains uncertain, with changes effected by the Affordable Care Act pending. Coverage may be expanded to include more families under the federal legislation, and more may choose to apply for coverage as more attention will be paid to individuals and families without insurance.

State leaders in Utah have yet to make a decision on Medicaid expansion, which would potentially extend eligibility to more families. As new coverage dates approach, Young said Utah families will want to watch out for penalties charged to anyone choosing not to have insurance. Federal legislation that imposes those fees takes effect Jan. 1.

"Having insurance coverage is always a good idea," she said. "Especially with little ones, when emergencies arise, it means having that assurance that you can get their needs met. It gives families peace of mind."

CHIP is a low-cost insurance option for children in low-income families. It is based on a private insurance model with co-pays and premiums levied based on income levels. In Utah, the program for children is open for enrollment throughout the year.

"It has always been our intention to enroll as many children as are eligible that apply," Young said.

Utah families can enroll for the local CHIP program by visiting www.health.utah.gov/chip. Email: wleonard@deseretnews.com Twitter: wendyleonards

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Wendy Leonard

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast