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Leveraging School Policies to Promote Student Health
Evidence shows that creating a safe, supportive school environment can help students feel more connected at school and, as a result, less likely to experience poor mental health, sexual health risks, substance use, and violence. ChangeLab Solutions, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has developed resources to help educators, policymakers, and other school partners understand how they can use school policies to promote student connection, create supportive learning environments, and improve student health outcomes.
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Back-to-School with Asthma
Check out a selection of resources below to help prepare for a smooth transition back to school. From tips on managing asthma triggers in the school environment to action plans for asthma attacks, these tools assist to communicate effectively with school staff and safeguard your child’s health.
Access these resources to feel confident and informed this back-to-school season:
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Get Kids Covered for Back-to-School Season
Many schools and extracurricular programs have vaccination and physical exam requirements as children and teens head back to school each fall. While health care may be top-of-mind for some parents, others may be concerned with how they can access these services for their children. Free or low-cost health coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide children with immunizations, well child visits, behavioral health care, and more services that can help them thrive in the classroom. When kids and teens have health insurance, they are more likely to perform well academically, participate fully in school, and experience improved long-term health outcomes.
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Back-to-School Outreach Materials
The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign’s Back-to-School outreach materials, including posters, palmcards, videos, social media content, infographics, and more, can be used as is or tailored for organizations. These materials are available in English and Spanish, and several of them are available in additional languages. We encourage you to share these materials in your community to help connect families to Medicaid and CHIP.
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New Initiative - Lead Free Indy
Despite being largely unseen, lead exposure remains a critical health issue in Marion County, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations. The Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD), in collaboration with Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI), is spearheading efforts to address this persistent threat through the Lead-Free Indy initiative. They have organized a pivotal event, "Our Legacy Starts Now: A Summit to Empower a Lead-Free Indy," scheduled for September 19, 2024.
A highlight of the summit will be the introduction of the LeadADVISOR tool, designed to empower the community with essential information on mitigating environmental lead risks.
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In-District Meetings
The 2025 legislative session is still four months away, but CKF-IN staff members are meeting with lawmakers early to talk about the importance of Medicaid. Last week, CKF-IN's Director of Public Policy met with two legislators on the Appropriations committee, which is in charge of the budget for the Senate. If you are interested in attending an in-district meeting, you can note your interest here.
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Medicaid Efforts to Address Racial Health Disparities
Medicaid is a key form of healthcare coverage for people of color. A recent KFF report states, "Although employer-sponsored and other private coverage are primary sources of coverage across racial and ethnic groups, Medicaid helps to fill larger gaps in this coverage for many people of color, particularly children. In 2022, nearly two-thirds of the 6.4 million uninsured people were eligible for Medicaid but not enrolled were people of color."
Expanded Medicaid benefits help all enrollees, but especially the disproportionate number of people of color on the program. There is room for innovation and inclusion in eligibility and services, making Medicaid a place to address racial health disparities.
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Marketplace Fraud Protections for Consumers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to protecting consumers in the Marketplace from fraud and providing partners with the latest information, tips, and resources.
What everyone should know about Marketplace fraud:
- CMS will ensure that any consumers affected by fraud get help to minimize the impact.
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Anyone suspecting Marketplace fraud, waste or abuse should report it to the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
- CMS works closely with state Departments of Insurance and law enforcement partners to share information and optimize resources to combat unauthorized and fraudulent activity in the Marketplaces.
You can help consumers by sharing these messages:
- Never give your information to a person or entity you don’t know. If you see a health insurance ad on social media or someone reaches out to you offering cashback, gift cards, grocery money, or other perks, it’s likely a scam. Information you share could be used without your consent.
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HealthCare.gov is the official source to find affordable insurance and to enroll in health coverage. Go to HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1- 800-318-2596 for official information.
- For free, non-biased personal help, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 – 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week (except holidays). Help is available in other languages. Marketplace Call Center representatives don’t get any incentives for signing you up.
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Make sure you’re on an authorized website before entering any personal or contact information for a health insurance quote. Visit HealthCare.gov/direct-enrollment/ to check if you’re on an authorized website. These are the only websites approved by the Marketplace to provide consumer quotes and help enroll consumers in Marketplace coverage.
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Upcoming Observances
Organizations can tie national observances, like the ones listed below, into Medicaid and CHIP outreach and enrollment efforts.
August: National Immunization Awareness Month
August: Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month
August: National Eye Exam Month
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Medicaid in Indiana Fact Sheet
KKF offers a fact sheet on Indiana Medicaid in an infographic form that is appropriate for sharing with community partners, funders, legislators, or others interested or needing education about the importance of Medicaid.
- Indiana’s uninsured rate is 1% lower than the US average.
- 65% of Hoosier adults with Medicaid work.
- 40% of births in Indiana are covered by Medicaid.
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Marketplace Premiums
KFF reported on preliminary rate filings and found that Marketplace insurers are proposing a median premium increase of 7% for 2025. The median increase in 2024 was 6%. Insurers cite growing health care prices including hospital care and expensive drugs as the driving factors. The vast majority of Marketplace enrollees receive subsidies and are not expected to face higher costs.
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Suicide Outreach Team Training
Do you want to make a difference in your community by offering crucial support to those affected by suicide loss?
Join Indiana Suicide Prevention Network in partnership with Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction & Postvention Consulting for a webinar on August 28th from 10:00 - 11:30am ET via Zoom. You will be guided through how to form and manage a Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (L.O.S.S.) team in your area.
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Marketplace Application and
Plan Comparison Tips and Tricks
Beyond the Basics recorded a recent webinar in preparation for the upcoming 2025 Marketplace Open Enrollment. The webinar covers preparing for the appointment, how to compare plans, and post appointment tasks. Also covered are practical tips in assisting special populations. Some of the special populations discussed include survivors of domestic violence, pregnant enrollees, and families with mixed immigration status.
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Outreach and Enrollment Planning Summit
Young Invincibles is planning their 5th annual Summit. This free event will cover topics related to the upcoming 2025 Marketplace Open Enrollment season including enhanced financial help and new options for DACA recipients. A full agenda will be released soon.
The Summit is on October 3, 2024 from 12:30 – 5 pm ET. You can register here.
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Exploring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for People in Rural Communities
The Indiana Immunization Coalition is hosting a webinar to equip learners with the knowledge and tools needed to better meet the healthcare needs of rural communities. The presentation will be by Kris Parker, Regional Community Development Educator for Purdue Extension.
The webinar is on September 5, 2024 at 3 pm ET. You can register here.
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2024 Heart to Heart Conference
Registration is now open for Family to Family Indiana’s annual free conference. Family to Family provides information, training, and support to families with children and youth with additional health and education needs, and the professionals who serve them. Some topics that will be discussed include manifestation determinations, transition to adulthood, home modifications, childcare, and healthcare access.
The conference is September 26, 2024 from 9 am – 3:45 pm ET.
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IHCP Enrollment
Total Membership decreased in June.
With 1,966,775 members, there were 10,372, or -0.52%, fewer members in June 2024 than in May 2024.
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