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

Abstract #62102

Amy J. Davidoff, PhD and Alshadye Yemane, BA. Health Policy Center, Urban Institute, 2100 M Street N.W., Washington, DC 20037, 202-261-5259, adavidof@ui.urban.org

This analysis compares Medicaid and SCHIP eligibility and participation for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) to other children, and simulates an expansion of eligibility consistent with the Family Opportunity Act. CSHCN are identified consistent with the MCHB definition: children with a chronic medical problem who experience an elevated need for health care services and/or are limited in their functioning. We use data from the 2000/2001 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), creating a detailed algorithm that incorporates federal and state-specific rules to identify children eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP. We use descriptive and multivariate techniques to compare eligibility and participation for CSHCN and other children, with particular attention to the role of waiting periods and premium requirements. We simulate expansion of eligibility to 250% and 300% of FPL (consistent with different versions of the Family Opportunity Act) and use the results from multivariate analyses to simulate participation among newly eligible CSHCN.

We find that a greater proportion of CSHCN are eligible for Medicaid, due to lower family incomes and receipt of SSI. The SCHIP expansions increased the proportion of eligible children by similar amounts for CSHCN and other children. Extending eligibility to 250 % or 300 % of FPL would translate into new eligibility for 7 % and 15% of CSHCN respectively. Analyses in progress will examine differences in participation rates, and will simulate participation among children who might become eligible if the Family Opportunity Act were enacted.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how children with special health care needs (CSHCN) differ from other children in eligibility and participation in Medicaid and SCHIP. Recognize the policy implications associated with further expansion of eligibility for CSHCN.

Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Health Insurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 52.5 kb)