More than 1,000 children apply for Nevada Check Up program

Brendan Riley

Tuesday, April 14, 1998 | 10:21 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Applications have been filed by parents of more than 1,000 children hoping to get low-cost health insurance through the state's new Nevada Check Up program.

Gov. Bob Miller reported the application total Tuesday, adding that's a "brisk rate" since the program has been running for just five weeks.

The governor added that through the program and the existing Medicaid program, about 60,000 uninsured children could eventually get access to proper health care.

Applications for the program are now available, in English and Spanish, at more than 250 locations around Nevada, including welfare offices, schools, Head Start and child-care facilities, Inter-Tribal Council offices and other sites.

The update from the governor's office follows recent criticism of the Nevada Check Up program by John Yacenda of the Great Basin Primary Care Association of Carson City.

Yacenda suggested the applications need to be out in the communities, rather than in state offices. State lawmakers have suggested they could be in churches, service stations, community centers and fast food restaurants.

Yacenda's comments drew a quick reply from Charlotte Crawford, director of the state Department of Human Resources, who said it wasn't "a fair attack."

Crawford, whose staff has made getting Nevada Check Up a top priority, said numerous efforts are being made to publicize the program and reach those families most in need.

Under Nevada Check Up, the state puts up $16.4 million and the federal government $30.4 million to contract with managed-care organizations to start insurance coverage July 1 for children up to 19 years old from low-income families.

A family of four earning $28,000 to $32,000 annually would pay a $50 enrollment fee and $50 per quarter for a maximum of $200 a year. This would provide medical coverage and there would be an additional $5 fee for each drug prescription and $5 per visit to the dentist.

The state would pay a premium to the managed-care organization of $1,050 a year for each child. Families would be given their choice of which managed care organization they want to join.