"Where Futures Begin"
Click on the banner below to access information about Alabama's Free Health Insurance Program for children under age 19.
Jean Burton
School Nurse
NEWS RELEASE


                               ALL Kids expands eligibility for children’s health insurance Oct. 1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        CONTACT: Cathy Caldwel
                                                                            (334) 206-5568


The majority of the 78,000 uninsured children in Alabama will be eligible for health insurance coverage thanks to an expansion of the ALL Kids Children’s Health Insurance Program to 300 percent of the federal poverty level effective Oct. 1, 2009.


"Many working families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but either do not have the income to buy health insurance in the private sector or it is not available through their jobs,” said Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer. “This expansion, which was made possible by the Alabama Legislature and a federal expansion, will allow as many as 14,000 additional children to receive coverage.”


Medicaid provides coverage to children from families making below the federal poverty level. ALL Kids, which began more than 12 years ago, has provided government subsidized insurance to children from families whose incomes fall between the poverty line and twice the poverty level, provided they are not covered by another insurance plan.


Cathy Caldwell, director of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, said. “If you have uninsured children,  apply today."


Parents may apply online through the department's Web site ([ http://www.adph.org/t_blank ]www.adph.org), by calling toll-free (888-373-5437), or by picking up an application at a county health department or a doctor's office. Applications can be mailed or faxed.


The ALL Kids program is working to educate doctors, school nurses and others about the change so they can recommend it to parents. Parents pay a small amount for their children to participate in ALL Kids. Parents who enter the program because of the expansion will pay $100 annually per child, with a maximum of $300 per family regardless of the number of children covered.


-30-


10/02/09