CFO Alex Sink and state agencies join forces with community groups and businesses to reach families with uninsured children

        TALLAHASSEE – Several state agencies are distributing thousands of KidCare enrollment applications and information materials at community events across Florida in an effort to reach families with uninsured children. As families attend Back-to-School events and community immunization fairs, they are being greeted by state employees and agency leaders promoting KidCare, the state-subsidized health insurance program for children 18 and under.

       To demonstrate this commitment to community outreach, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Bob Butterworth, Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) Secretary Dr. Andy Agwunobi and Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) Director Monesia Brown participated in a KidCare enrollment drive at the State Capitol today that attracted dozens of families.

       During the enrollment drive, families were able to complete online KidCare applications at laptop computers set up in the Capitol Rotunda. Staff from the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Health were on hand to assist and share additional information. In cities across Florida, similar KidCare enrollment booths are being set up to put applications in the hands of families getting their children ready for the new school year.

      “We’re able to enroll an additional 33,000 uninsured kids in KidCare this year and the only way we are going to reach them is through outreach like the statewide effort that is going on now,” said CFO Sink, who chairs the Healthy Kids Board.  “The cost of letting children go uninsured is simply too high and I am pleased to be a part of this effort to help thousands more children receive health insurance.”

        In addition to participating in back to school events, the state agencies and KidCare staff found other creative and innovative ways to promote enrollment, including the following:

• Eight state agency vehicles, including three mobile health    units, have been transformed into moving KidCare billboards  
• The Department of Children and Families mailed 54,000 letters to families receiving state assistance after determining that many had uninsured children  
• AHCA sent posters and letters to more than 15,000 Medicaid providers across Florida and over 200 hospitals with assistance from the Florida Hospital Association  
• The Florida Department of Health has printed KidCare enrollment information on immunization flyers and WIC program coupons 
• Florida KidCare is working with 61 school districts to distribute 2.7 million applications to children at the start of the school year  
• Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten providers are distributing applications to parents with children in the program

     Florida KidCare currently serves nearly 1.4 million children, of which 1.1 million are Medicaid customers and more than 250,000 are enrolled in MediKids, Children’s Medical Services or Healthy Kids. Children enrolled in these programs receive regular doctor visits, dental check- ups and immunizations at little to no-cost. The health insurance plans that provide this health coverage have also joined the outreach campaign. The Florida Association of Health Plans (FAHP) is preparing to launch a media campaign to promote KidCare enrollment on radio stations statewide.

      “Florida’s health plans are committed to helping to make sure eligible children receive vital health care coverage through Healthy Kids and KidCare,” said FAHP President and CEO Bob Wychulis. “Our health plans currently insure more than 200,000 children in Healthy Kids and MediKids, and we continue to work as a partner with the state to maintain and expand the reach of this critical program.”

        Families will also find KidCare enrollment information in retailers across the state as part of the tax-free shopping week. Walgreens, Sweetbay Supermarket and Wal-Mart stores are displaying KidCare information to reach shoppers.

          For more information about enrollment in Florida KidCare, visit www.floridakidcare.org to apply on-line or call 1-888-540-5437 to receive an application my mail.