By Denise Jennex
The “Teachers for Healthy Kids” project is a joint effort between the California Teachers Association and the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) to use classroom teachers as sources of information to parents about low cost and no cost health insurance programs available in California to uninsured students and their families. It was developed with focus group input from CTA members in all regions.
The statewide project is funded by a $600,000 multi-year grant from the California Endowment to help connect California’s nearly one million uninsured but eligible school children with health insurance.
Teachers have always known what experts are just now discovering – that there is a direct link between children’s health and school success. It is no surprise that the lowest performing schools have the highest number of children eligible for, but not enrolled in, public health insurance programs. Countless school hours are lost due to dental pain, vision problems and illnesses that could be prevented or treated. Teachers are trusted messengers of information to parents and can provide reliable information and refer parents to those who can help them enroll in no or low cost health coverage programs.
Medi-Cal for Families is a no cost coverage that has no monthly premiums and no co-payments for any benefit.
Healthy Families is no cost for preventative services. There is a $5 co-payment for non-preventative services. Monthly premiums are from $4-$9 per child per month to a maximum $27 per family. There is a choice of major medical, dental and vision plans.
Eligibility covers children from birth to age 19 and is determined by family income and size. A family of four can make up to $3,771 per month and still be eligible for coverage. It is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and qualified immigrant children. Other programs may be available for those children who may not meet these eligibility requirements.
You can tell parents they can call 1-888-747-1222 toll free to receive an application for enrollment in free or low-cost health insurance programs. They will also receive referrals to community based Application Assisters who can help families fill out forms free of charge. Help is available in many languages.
For more information call the CTA Community Outreach Office at (213) 251-8088.