NEWS

New Jersey Newsroom: State health care coverage program for children climbs to record enrollment of 100,000
October 2, 2009


Corzine Administration officials Thursday announced that the state's NJ FamilyCare program hit a landmark milestone of nearly 100,000 new children enrolled since January 2006.

The new high, officials said, is a result of a first-in-the-nation express eligibility initiative, the elimination of premiums for some working families, and a broadcast media campaign, more than 12,000 children have been enrolled in the health care program since June.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has provided $988,177 grant to conduct a school and community enrollment effort that includes the hiring of a school-based NJ FamilyCare facilitator to perform outreach to families with children who are eligible but not yet enrolled in the program. The funding is expected to be used to pilot ten school districts and various community-based organizations that assist the districts' children.

"New Jersey is absolutely setting the standard nationwide for innovative and progressive Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment efforts," Gov. Jon Corzine said. "Through our inter-departmental coordination and efforts, New Jersey is taking every opportunity we can to reach all eligible children and the results support our success."

The Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey, an affiliate of the New Jersey Hospital Association, received the $988,177 grant to develop enrollment strategies for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare delivery sites. The facilities will attempt to enrolling the uninsured into government coverage programs, but don't have the authority to enroll patients themselves. The funds will also help the Trust examine the hurdles healthcare providers face in helping their patients apply for insurance coverage. The project also will examine enrollment obstacles at county welfare agencies, which are seen as a critical part of the enrollment process.

"We're all in this together," said Trust President and CEO Betsy Ryan. "It takes a committed partnership to ensure that the children of New Jersey receive the healthcare coverage they need, and we're fortunate to have that partnership among the Corzine Administration, our healthcare providers and dozens of school and community groups across the state."

In July 2008, Corzine signed legislation that required all children under the age of 19 to be insured through private or public plans.

NJ FamilyCare is administered by the state Department of Human Services as a free or low-cost program for income-eligible families. It covers children in families earning up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level – about $77,000 for a family of four – and parents earning up to 200 percent of FPL – about $44,000 for a family of four.

NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE is a ‘buy-in' program for families earning more than 350 percent FPL. The maximum monthly premium is $411 for a family with three or more children.

– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM