History:
The Department of Health Services established the Office of the
Children’s Health Outreach Initiative (CHOI) in August 1997, to provide a mechanism for reducing the
number of uninsured residents through a coordinated outreach effort for the various
health coverage programs for low-income children.
Health Problems:
Approximately 1 in 4 children in Los Angeles County are uninsured. Lack of adequate
health insurance is most important barrier impacting children's access to health
services in Los Angeles County. Children without health insurance are more likely
than those who are insured to see a physician for regular care including
immunizations and other well-child care services. Uninsured families tend to rely on
emergency rooms for their regular source of care and to go without needed medical
care for acute and chronic health conditions such as ear infections, throat
infections, and asthma.
Goal:
To increase health access and care for children and their families in Los Angeles
County through Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids,
or other no or low-cost health program. This project is
also known as “Community Health Coverage: Outreach,
Enrollment, Utilization and Retention Services.”
What Health Coverage Programs are Included:
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Medi-Cal,
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Healthy Kids,
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Healthy Families,
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Child Health & Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program,
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Aid to Infants & Mothers (AIM),
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Kaiser Permanente Child Health Plan (KPCHP),
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Women Infants and Children (WIC) and
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Referrals to ability-to-pay programs
Activities:
Because of the numerous programs, all with different eligibility prerequisites, it
was important to inform not only the public about these services, but to train agency
personnel, who serve the low income population, to be aware of these programs to be
better able to inform clients. The Department of Health Services contracts with
community-based agencies as well as the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena;
Los Angeles County Office of Education and Los Angeles Unified School District to
provide outreach and enrollment services for the uninsured population.
Contractor Activities/Services:
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Training thousands of staff, parent volunteers, and community members regarding free
and low-cost health coverage programs and services.
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Presenting to many groups including churches, school personnel, community based
agencies, childcare providers, parent groups, small businesses, and other sites
with potentially eligible persons.
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Providing application assistance to individuals/families.
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Completing enrollment applications for Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids,
Kaiser, etc.
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Following up with clients to ensure enrollment in the appropriate health coverage
programs and assist families to overcome enrollment barriers by troubleshooting
problems.
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Follow up with clients to ensure utilization of health services.
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Follow up with clients to assist with renewal forms necessary to retain health
coverage.
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Referring individuals that are not eligible for health coverage programs to
safety net providers for medical services.
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Participating in outreach events such as health/safety fairs and other community
events.
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Making in-person and phone contacts with potentially eligible individuals/families.
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Distributing brochures, mailers, flyers, fact sheets and training materials.
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Working with LAUSD and LACOE to allow for access to school sites for presentations
and enrollment activities.
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Disseminating information regarding these programs via newspapers and radio
spots/interviews.
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Working with small business to inform employers with low/moderate income workers
who are unable to provide insurance to their employers or their families about
the availability of low-cost programs. Contractors then give presentations to
the employees and enroll eligible family members at the business site.
Data Collection, Reporting, and Evaluation
Data from these services is collected and input into a web-based system available to
each of the contracted agencies by any computer connected to the internet. The
agencies can run data reports that include demographic information from clients
assisted. This database system also allows DHS to run up-to-date project reports as
needed to be able to provide information in order to evaluate the success of this
project.
This project highlights a successful union of County departments working together
with trusted local community-based agencies to reach and serve the population of
uninsured families in Los Angeles County.
Program Factsheet
List of CHOI Agency Partners - Assistance for obtaining free or low cost health care
Materials and Training:
Health coverage outreach materials have been developed collaboratively with DPSS and
community agencies. The "We’ve Got You Covered" pamphlet was developed to be utilized
for consumer education. The full color pamphlet can be ordered through the CHOI
office. La Opinion supplements with Medi-Cal and Healthy Family applications can
also be obtained at the CHOI office.
Anyone interested in learning details regarding various health coverage programs
available, either to become an application assistant or for an overview, can call
the two agencies in LA County contracted to provide training:
Maternal & Child Health Access (213) 749-4261 MCHA
Web site
National Health Foundation (213) 538-0745 CHAMP
Web site
Links:
Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
Web site
Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Medi-Cal
Healthy Families
"Mapping Children's Health Coverage Enrollment Recommendations for Improvement" July 2005 - A Project of the Program Integration Workgroup Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles
Policy and Planning Projects
Planning Division
Asthma
Obesity
Early Childhood Development
Health Insurance Expansion
Public Transportation
Preconception Health