This article, published in the December 2015 issue of the Maternal and Child Health Journal, describes the process and results of a survey of parents and caregivers whose children with disabilities were enrolled in Louisiana Family Opportunity Act (FOA) Medicaid Buy-in program. Results suggest that the Louisiana FOA program fills a niche in coverage needs among families of children with disabilities in Louisiana; however, small sample size and significant differences between the sample enrolled in the FOA and the comparison groups limits how generalizable the results are.
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Access to Care among Children with Disabilities in the MassHealth CommonHealth Buy-In Program
This article, published in the Journal of Child Health Care, describes the process and results of a survey of parents and caregivers whose children with disabilities were enrolled in CommonHealth, the state’s Medicaid Buy-in program. Results suggest that the MassHealth CommonHealth program improves access to care for children with disabilities overall; however, the article identifies barriers to address in five domains to improve accessibility.
A Primer on Value-based Strategies for Improving Financing of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Value-based purchasing and value-based insurance design are gaining increasing attention as strategies for reducing health care spending and improving health outcomes – “value” being the operative concept. However, there is not enough evidence to date regarding the effectiveness of these strategies; what does exist is primarily focused on interventions impacting adults. This primer focuses on opportunities to increase value in spending on health services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) through select alternative payment mechanisms and delivery innovations, and potential roles for Title V and family leaders in these efforts.
Leveraging Title V Partnerships to Advance National Performance Measure # 15: Adequate Health Insurance
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) encourages state Title V programs to partner with families, consumer groups, and others to advance their chosen National Performance Measures (NPMs). As the MCHB-funded national center for health insurance and financing of care, the Catalyst Center researches and disseminates state-level financing strategies aimed at improving health insurance coverage for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Our work aligns with NPM #15: “Adequate Insurance Coverage: percent of children ages 0 through 17 who are adequately insured.” This policy brief describes Title V, family leader organization, and Medicaid partnerships that can help states make progress on improving access to adequate insurance for CYSHCN.
Title V Interactive Worksheets
The Catalyst Center created two interactive worksheets for Title V program staff, family leaders, and other stakeholders. These worksheets provide an overview of Title V, and Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Each worksheet includes resources you can use to find and insert state-specific information to help demonstrate the importance of Title V, Medicaid and CHIP for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). The worksheets were created as companion materials to the Catalyst Center’s Public Insurance Programs and Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Tutorial on the Basics of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
State Statutes & Regulations on Dietary Treatment of Disorders Identified Through Newborn Screening
Every state has a Newborn Screening (NBS) Program which screens newborns for a variety of health conditions, including selected inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and other genetic disorders. Individuals with genetic conditions identified through NBS programs often require Modified Low Protein Foods (MLPFs), medical foods, dietary supplements, or other dietary treatments as well as enteral feeding supplies. Due to the wide-ranging funding mechanisms across states, coverage for these categories of products and supplies varies based on type of insurance coverage (e.g., public or private), type of health plan (e.g., individual, group, HMO), and any coverage and or related services that Title V or other state programs may fund.
This resource provides information about state-specific legislation that mandates the coverage of medically necessary foods by employer-sponsored health insurance and Medicaid, and coverage and related services funded by other state programs such as Title V or relief funds. It also details the covered services as well as any benefit limits or age and income restrictions. This report builds on a 2008 report of the same name by Alissa Johnson, and an update to that report from the Catalyst Center and the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks (NCC) published in 2016.
Webinar: Addressing Health Coverage Inequities among CSHCN in Your State
An hour-long webinar held on June 20, 2016 to “get acquainted” with the tutorial, Health Care Coverage and Financing for Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Tutorial to Address Inequities. MCH staff from Alaska and Michigan share strategies they use to work towards health equity for CSHCN in their states.
View detailed webinar description
Financing the Special Health Care Needs of Children in Foster Care: A Primer
This primer focuses on an often overlooked population of children and youth with special health care needs: children and youth in foster care.
Just the Facts: The 411 on Health Insurance for Young Adults Ages 18 – 30 in Florida
This guide is designed to provide basic information, action steps and deadlines to help young adults in Florida stay focused and on track with health insurance.
The Affordable Care Act and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: Opportunities and Challenges
Maternal and Child Health Town Hall meeting, American Public Health Association annual meeting, Boston, MA.