CoverKids program officials announced in late February that the program has begun accepting new enrollment applications, effective March 1. Between November 30, 2009, and February 28, 2010, the program for uninsured Tennessee children was at its budgeted capacity and could not accept new enrollments.

"When we opened CoverKids in 2007, we said we would always operate within our financial means and manage enrollment accordingly," said Bob Duncan, who oversees CoverKids as director of the Governor's Office of Children's Care Coordination.

The governor's current budget proposal included $13.1 million in new state money for CoverKids, which would result in $41.5 million of additional federal funding. Combined, the two funding sources will support increased CoverKids enrollment.

CoverKids is a federally and state funded health plan through the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides comprehensive health and dental coverage to children in families who do not qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private health insurance.

Tennessee families earning less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($55,125 per year for a family of four) qualify for CoverKids and pay no monthly premium for the plan. Income-based co-pays are required for most services, though preventive care, including well-child visits, teeth cleanings and vision screenings are fully covered.

Families may apply online at www.CoverKids.com or by calling (866) 620-8864.

CoverKids is a program of Cover Tennessee, Governor Phil Bredesen's initiative to address the health care needs of Tennessee's uninsured. CoverTennessee offers three other programs, including CoverTN, a limited benefit health plan for the working uninsured. AccessTN offers comprehensive health insurance for those who are uninsurable due to pre-existing medical conditions and CoverRx provides access to affordable prescriptions for Tennesseans who lack pharmacy benefits. For more information about any of the Cover Tennessee programs, visit www.CoverTN.gov or call 1-866-COVERTN.

FACTS ABOUT COVERKIDS

• The program is open to children ages 18 years and under. There are no pre-existing condition exclusions for children with already-diagnosed special needs or medical conditions.
• Applicants to the CoverKids program will first be screened for TennCare eligibility or access to other state-sponsored insurance options.
• CoverKids has no monthly premium for families with household incomes up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Participants pay a co-pay for certain services; the co-pay amount depends on income.
• Access to other health insurance coverage does NOT affect eligibility (if a family has access to insurance through a parent's job but the coverage is not affordable, the child is eligible for CoverKids).
• Coverage is offered for 12 months. After that, families must re-verify their children's eligibility.
• Children must live in a household with income under 250% of the federal poverty level (example: for a family of four, this would be $55,125). Buy-in is available for children in households with higher income (the buy-in premium is currently $230 per month per child).
• Children must be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens and must be Tennessee residents.
• Children must have been without insurance for three months (this is waived for newborns up to four months of age and for children moving to CoverKids from TennCare or from another state's SCHIP program).
• Maternity care (medical treatment or physician visits related to the pregnancy or the health of the unborn child) is available for pregnant women who meet other eligibility criteria, from the date of application until 60 days following the baby's birth.
• CoverKids provides comprehensive health insurance with an emphasis on preventive health services and coverage for physician services, hospitals, prescriptions, mental health/substance abuse, dental, vision and more. CoverKids has an emphasis on services children need most, well-baby and well-child visits, and age-appropriate required immunizations.