The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55333

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

Project Access seeks to enroll uninsured children who come through the emergency room of Temple University Children's Medical Center and other underserved 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. The three year totals of children identified on admission to an emergency room to be uninsured and the numbers actually enrolled in appropriate coverage will be shared. 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:

• to understand the process followed to successfully insure children
• to evaluate the outcomes of a program to insured children whose prime focus was uninsured children in the emergency room

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Children

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