Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Newsletter |
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CKF Launches Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program
Tobacco users may not realize they face higher premiums for health insurance. CKF has partnered with the Indiana Department of Health to identify tobacco users through questions on healthcare coverage applications and refer to cessation resources if desired. The Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Manager will connect with clients to discuss readiness, provide resources, and refer directly to Quit Now Indiana.
Meet Joe Castillo, Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Manager
Joe Castillo is the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Manager at Covering Kids & Families of Indiana. Before this position, Joe worked for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), supporting patients and the community as a Community Health Worker (CHW), Navigator, Interpreter, and Community Engagement Ambassador. Joe brings to the team his knowledge and skills of helping clients achieve goals and better health overall. Joe is known for uniting teams for a common goal, continuing to seek a better structure for those in underserved areas and his passion for a healthier, overall health approach. Joe holds certificates as a CHW, Health Insurance Navigator, and interpreter in the state of Indiana. He continues to stay updated on the latest trends and advancements to deliver the best possible outcomes. Outside of work, Joe enjoys spending time with his family, coaching football, and going to sports games. He is an avid Colts, Pacers, and Reds fan.
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Indiana Lawmaking 101
Are you reading Facebook posts about bills moving, but don't know what that means? Did the news report on an issue "in session", but you've not heard that term? CKF is here to help!
Indiana is in the middle of the legislative session aka the legislature is "in session", which is the time set apart for lawmakers to propose and pass legislation (or laws). To do that, legislators file bills that move through the process depicted below. Along the way, advocates, lobbyists, businesses, and regular citizens provide input through committee testimony, in-person meetings, calls, and emails. The halfway point is next week and the entire session must legally wrap up by March 15th this year.
You can look through allllllll the bills filed this session here. If you have questions or want help understanding a bill, email Amy Chandler at achandler@ckfindiana.org.
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State Legislation
Last week in the Senate Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions, CKF-IN read testimony on SB 272 from the director of a CKF lead agency that has established three School Based Health Centers (SBHC). She wrote about how requiring a parent to be present at the time of SBHC services would defeat one major purpose of the centers - meeting families where they are!
CKF is working this bill behind the scenes with legislators, but the job got easier today when the bill was held in committee. Why? Because today is the Senate committee deadline (the last day for bills to be passed out of committee) and the bill was held (not voted out). It is mostly dead! The language could be amended into another bill later, but CKF and many others will be keeping a close watch.
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NEWS FROM THE INDIANA SCHOOL HEALTH NETWORK |
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2024 Indiana School Health Network Conference |
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Call for Exhibitors
The Indiana School Health Network (ISHN) invites community, school, and public health organizations to the 16th Annual School Health Network Conference as an Exhibitor. The ISHN conference is attended by over 500 school professionals, including educators, school nurses, social workers, school administrators, public health nurses, managed care professionals, federally qualified health center and school-based health center leadership, providers, and school health experts from across the region. Exhibitors provide attendees with valuable information and resources and have the opportunity to collaborate with conference attendees.
Reserve your booth now—space is limited!
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Call for Sponsors
The Indiana School Health Network (ISHN) and Covering Kids & Families of Indiana are looking forward to the 16th annual ISHN Conference in June. Call for Sponsors is open until April 1, 2024.
Conference sponsors have the opportunity to elevate awareness, establish connections, and network with conference attendees. Detailed information regarding sponsorship levels is provided below.
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Pregnancy Promise Program
Indiana’s Pregnancy Promise Program completed its second year of improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid members and their babies impacted by opioid use disorder. In 2023, 364 pregnant people were enrolled and 83% of babies had a healthy birth weight. Much of the program’s success is attributed to connecting participants to resources for health and social needs. To qualify, participants must be pregnant or within 90 days of end of pregnancy, have current or past opioid use, and be eligible for Medicaid.
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Helpful Phone Numbers
Are you unsure of who to call? Here are some helpful phone numbers for navigators.
FSSA 800-403-0864
Department of Family Resources’ (DFR) number. Use for application or case questions for SNAP, TANF, or any category of Medicaid. It can also be used as a fax number to submit documents for an application or case.
HHW Helpline 800-889-9949
Enrollment Broker’s number. Use for general HHW questions or questions about/assistance in selecting a health plan.
HIP Enrollment Broker 877-438-4479
Enrollment Broker’s number. Use for general HIP questions or questions about/assistance in selecting a health plan.
Hoosier Care Connect 866-963-7383
Enrollment Broker’s number. Use for general HCC questions or questions about/assistance in selecting a health plan.
Traditional Medicaid Member Services 800-457-4584
Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) vendor number. Use for questions about claims or coverage for fee-for-service members (including Medicare Savings Program).
Indiana PathWays for Aging 877-284-9294
Enrollment Broker’s number. Use (at this time – January 2024) for general questions about the upcoming Indiana PathWays for Aging program; once the program is live, it can be used for general PathWays questions or questions about/assistance in selecting a health plan.
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Health Equity
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducted message testing in 2022 to learn more about how to create effective messaging on the topic of health equity. Last month, they shared their findings which included three messaging principles.
Principle 1: Meet your audience where they are.
Principle 2: Communicate health equity as a “we” issue.
Principle 3: Frame health equity as achievable.
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Medicaid and CHIP: Dental Coverage Provides Families with Peace of Mind
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the Connecting Kids to Coverage Campaign is hosting a webinar focusing on coverage, health equity, barriers to dental care, and outreach to families.
February 14th at 3pm. Register here.
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Oral Health Webinar
Register for our upcoming oral health webinar, Medicaid and CHIP: Dental Coverage Provides Families with Peace of Mind scheduled for Wednesday, February 14 at 3 p.m. ET. The Campaign invites you to attend the webinar focused exploring the peace of mind that parents and caregivers can have knowing that comprehensive dental health services – including regular dental check-ups, fillings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments – are covered through Medicaid and CHIP. Register today!
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IHCP Enrollment
Total Membership decreased in December.
With 2,012,389 members, there were 26,081 or -1.28% fewer members in December 2023 than in November 2023.
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© 2023 Covering Kids & Families of Indiana | All Rights Reserved |
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