OK may be coming for kids’ health care

Art Nadler

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 11:38 a.m.

The administrator of a proposed state program to insure an estimated 60,000 poor children is confident it will begin as planned, once some technicalities are ironed out.

Chris Thompson, administrator for the division of Health Care Financing and Policy for the Nevada Department of Human Resources, said he is confident the "Nevada Check Up" program will start on July 1.

He just has to assure the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) that children eligible for Medicaid will be enrolled in that federal program.

"I think we closed 90 percent of the gap (with HCFA) at this point," Thompson said today. "I think by the end of the week, we will close the remaining 10 percent."

In response to HCFA's request that the state provide a "seamlessness" between both the Nevada Check Up and Medicaid programs, the Legislative Committee on Health Care decided last month to eliminate an assets test for the Medicaid Children's Health Assurance Program (CHAP).

The simpler Nevada Check Up application doesn't require an assets test and relies mainly on a family's income. This difference between the two programs, along with some other more detailed Medicaid application questions, is what's causing HCFA's concern.

The Medicaid application process requires filling out an eight-page form and a face-to-face interview. The Nevada Check Up form is much shorter.

"What it comes down to is whether states have the right to simplify the application process," Thompson said. "That would mean less expense to the state because there would be less administrative costs."

Chris Peacock, a HCFA spokesman, would not confirm if Nevada Check Up was close to being approved. But he did say his department is working closely with the state to sign off on the plan by July 1.

"The bottom line is our goal and to get more children insured," he said.

Thompson said Nevada would receive $30.4 million in federal funds for the Nevada Check Up program this year, which it will have to match with $16.4 million in state funds.

Under Medicaid, all costs are paid. The Nevada Check Up program requires participants to contribute a small co-payment. It also sets funding caps for services, such as dental care.

Thompson said last month that only 4,293 children had applied for the Nevada Check Up program.

Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., who supports the Nevada Check Up program, recently wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala seeking her support.

"What we are trying to do," Ensign said, "is not let the red tape of the government get in the way of providing health care for children in Nevada."

Ensign, who sits on the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, said if Nevada does not receive favorable action, he will request a congressional inquiry or possibly a hearing."

(((SUN Correspondent Mark D. Preston contributed to this story.)))