CoverKids, Governor Phil Bredesen’s free health insurance program for uninsured children, is partnering with the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency to offer enrollment information and assistance to families in its service area.
“Providing families with easy access to CoverKids is essential to the program’s continued success,” said Dr. Andrea Willis, CoverKids Program Director. “Ensuring the health needs of Tennessee’s uninsured children is a monumental task. By working with Tennessee’s Human Resource Agencies (TAHRA), we hope to effectively reach these children and provide access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare services.”
Part of a statewide partnership with the Tennessee Association of Human Resource Agencies, this effort will enable families to meet with case workers at UCHRA’s offices and learn more about CoverKids and ultimately enroll in the program.
“Our mission is to provide services and resources to families in the Upper Cumberland and CoverKids is yet another opportunity to fulfill our mission,” said Phyllis Bennett, TAHRA President and Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency. “This program addresses a very specific need faced by the families in our service area, and we want to do everything to encourage enrollment and participation.”
CoverKids, a Cover Tennessee Program, allows qualifying children 18 and under to get free, comprehensive health insurance for preventive health care services, such as, vaccinations, doctors’ visits, prescriptions and hospital visits. Maternity coverage is also available for pregnant women who meet eligibility criteria.
A family of four with a $51,625 yearly income will qualify for CoverKids. Qualified, low-income children will have no monthly premiums for coverage, will pay only $15 for doctors’ visits and $5 for generic medications, and will not have any co-pays for routine exams, labs or x-rays. Families with income in excess of 250% FPL, could have coverage available at full premium.
Vision benefits will be added for children in CoverKids beginning Jan. 1, 2008, and dental benefits will be included later in the first quarter next year.
“We are excited to be a part of this process to help provide health insurance for children,” remarked Mike Foster, DeKalb County Executive. Applications are now being accepted at local UCHRA offices. To apply for CoverKids, contact Mitzi Bradford, County Coordinator, at 527 West Main Street, in Smithville, call 615 597-4504 or visit UCHRA’s website at www.uchra.com to access an application.
Cover Tennessee provides health coverage to uninsured individuals in Tennessee through three insurance programs and a pharmacy assistance program. CoverTN is an affordable and portable health insurance initiative for working Tennesseans who are uninsured. Comprehensive insurance for children is provided through CoverKids and chronically ill adults are eligible for AccessTN, a high-risk pool. CoverRx is a statewide pharmacy assistance program designed to assist those who have no pharmacy coverage, but have a critical need for medication. More information on all Cover Tennessee programs is available at www.CoverTN.gov or by calling 1-866-COVERTN.
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