Arkansas Process Improvement Project Derick Easter, Arkansas Advocates John Kennedy, DHS Mary Jane Harris, DHS Sharon Benton, Poplar House Clinic
What is the Problem? RETENTION: There is a perception that a significant number of eligible children lose coverage each year. The below chart for July – September 2002 shows ARKids cases closed each month due to the family not returning the re-enrollment form and the number that was subsequently reopened within three, six and 12 months. Statewide 45% of the closures for this one quarter was reopened within 12 months.
Reach out to families at risk of losing Coverage: Goal Statement Reach out to families at risk of losing Coverage: Decrease the percentage of Medicaid case closures by one-third within 6 months (January 1, 2004 – June 30, 2004) by calling families that fail to return their renewal form and conduct re-enrollment via the telephone.
Changes Implemented to Date ARKids B expansion was implemented in September 1997 In August 2000, started using a simplified joint application Allowed for a self declaration of income Removed the face-to-face interview process In August 2001, eliminated the assets test
While we have done some outreach around re-enrollment, such as: Conclusions While we have done some outreach around re-enrollment, such as: Having all Medicaid PCP offices distribute re-enrollment reminders to their patients. Placing posters about re-enrollment in the PCP offices. Mail re-enrollment reminders to the clients homes. In all trainings and presentations, re-enrollment is reinforced. There is still a lot of work to be done around retention in Arkansas!