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PA Governor Rendell Announces New Web Site for Children's Health Insurance Program

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 May 2006, 12:01 CDT

PITTSBURGH, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- At the direction of Governor Edward G. Rendell, Pennsylvania today launched an interactive Web site designed to help parents quickly learn whether their children qualify for free, or low-cost, medical insurance coverage under the state's groundbreaking Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.

"Our new CHIP Web site is a great new tool to help parents learn about the benefits of CHIP and help them determine in a matter of minutes whether or not their children are eligible for coverage," Governor Rendell said. "This new outreach tool is an important part of my ongoing effort to ensure that all Pennsylvania children have access to health insurance coverage.

"Healthy children are happy children who pay better attention in school, get better grades and are more productive at work after graduation."

CHIP is the state's nationally recognized program that provides free, or low-cost, health insurance to children under 19 whose families earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to purchase private health insurance. In April, CHIP reported its highest enrollment ever at 140,260.

Deputy Insurance Commissioner George Hoover unveiled the new Web site at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Main Branch in conjunction with a national awareness campaign called "Cover the Uninsured Week." The Internet address is http://www.chipcoverspakids.com/.

"Libraries have a rich tradition as being a great resource of information in a fun and inviting atmosphere," Hoover said. "So what better place to unveil our new Web site than in a place that not only offers free online access, but whose sole purpose is to inform and educate parents and children?"

In his budget address earlier this year, Governor Rendell introduced a new initiative to expand CHIP. Called "Cover All Kids," the initiative would guarantee affordable, comprehensive health care coverage and make sure all of Pennsylvania's children are insured and getting the services they need to grow up healthy.

Under CHIP, children of families earning up to 200 percent of the federal income poverty guidelines - or $40,000 gross income for a family of four - may be eligible for free health insurance. Low-cost insurance is available for children of families earning up to 235 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or $47,000 gross income for a family of four.

Children enrolled in CHIP are eligible for numerous benefits, including prescription drugs; routine checkups; immunizations; diagnostic testing; emergency care; dental, vision and hearing services; mental-health benefits; inpatient hospitalization up to 90 days per year; durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers; rehabilitation therapy (speech, occupational, physical and respiratory); drug- and alcohol-abuse treatment; hearing aids; home health care, such as nursing services and post-operative care; and partial hospitalization for mental-health services.

Families are encouraged to log on to the CHIP Web site at http://www.chipcoverspakids.com/ or call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-986- KIDS to get more information about benefits and to find out if their children qualify for free, or low-cost, health insurance. All calls and inquiries are confidential.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116; or Rosanne Placey or Melissa Fox, Insurance, +1-717-787-3289

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116; or Rosanne Placey or Melissa Fox, Insurance, +1-717-787-3289

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/http://www.chipcoverspakids.com/http://www.governor.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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