Simplify eligibility and maximize enrollment: Engaging families and persuading them of the benefits of enrolling their children in State health and human services programs has been a perennial challenge for State officials across the nation. In recent years, it has become clear that States are struggling to enroll into Medicaid all of the children who meet that program’s eligibility standards.

With the implementation of SCHIP, States face additional challenges in identifying and enrolling newly eligible children in higher income groups. Current health services research and States' experiences with Medicaid expansions suggest that an effective blending of social marketing, community-based outreach, and simplified eligibility procedures are required to successfully maximize enrollment.

Related Questions

Give me an example

• Provide Examples of Effective State Medicaid Outreach Strategies
  • Massachusetts' MassHealth Program
  • Arkansas' ARKids First Program

Give me an overall context

• Overview of the Various Approaches Available for Facilitating Enrollment in SCHIP

• Show Me the National Profile - Population Size and Characteristics of Uninsured Children

Tell me some known or potential problems

• Understand Historical Barriers to Health Program Enrollment

• When Does Crowd-Out Occur?

• What Effects Will Cost-Sharing Have on Enrollment, Access, and Satisfaction with SCHIP?

Who presented this material?

• Joe Quinn, Mark Reynolds, and William Smith each spoke about outreach/enrollment strategies at SCHIP seminars held at Sanibel Island, Florida, June 29-July 1, 1998, and Portland, Oregon, September 14-16, 1998.