The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3337.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 3

Abstract #42729

Project access: Successfully enrolling children in insurance

Nancy L. Rothman, EdD, RN, Department of Nursing, CAHP, Temple University, 3307 N. Broad Street 602-00, Philadelphia, PA 19140 and Judith G. Watman, ACSW, LSW, Project Access, Temple University Children's Medical Center, 3509 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, 215-707-6041, nrothman@vm.temple.edu.

Project Access seeks to enroll uninsured children who come through Temple University Children's Medical Center emergency room and other under served children in public or low-cost/subsidized insurance. Neighborhood coordinators, family advocates and financial counselors help uninsured families who come through the emergency room to: navigate the complex insurance enrollment process, gather documentation and track applications. They also assist with any denial process, refer families to community resources, ensure each child has a primary health care provider and teach caregivers how to access, use and evaluate a healthcare home. From January 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001, over 4,000 children were identified on admission to an emergency room as uninsured and 2,058 children were enrolled in appropriate coverage. The types of assistance provided, demographics, information regarding why families did not previously have insurance, health information related to the emergency room visit, types of insurance enrolled in, types of agency referrals made, and mean days to complete the insurance process will be shared. In addition, the caregivers' pre/post understanding of how to use and evaluate a primary care provider, perception of the children's health and satisfaction with the health care received will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Health Insurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Project supported by First Union Regional Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Project supported by First Union Regional Foundation

Social Worker Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA