Mississippi Children Will Receive Health Insurance Program - Initiative of UnitedHealthcare

• Date: April 06, 2010
• Source: Admin

UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi will emphasize wellness and health promotion programs as it assumes responsibility January 1, for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) administered by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM).

Approximately 67,000 children currently enrolled in the program will transfer to UnitedHealthcare Jan. 1. Enrollment is through DOM, which determines eligibility for the program based on annual family income and age.

UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi will offer all eligible children access to a health care provider network that includes 133 hospitals and more than 9,600 health care professionals, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural health clinics. In addition to health promotion, services under the CHIP program will include medical and dental care, prescription medications and a 24/7 nurse line.

"We are reaching out to members, physicians and health care professionals, and community-based organizations to promote well-child checks, vaccinations and dental and vision screening," said Joseph Blackston, M.D., medical director of UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi. "In addition, we will have disease management programs for children with conditions such as asthma and diabetes."

UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi is affiliated with AmeriChoice, the nation's largest managed health care company serving low-income individuals in the public sector. AmeriChoice currently serves more than 2.8 million beneficiaries of government health care programs in 25 states and the District of Columbia and has special expertise in children's health care programs.

"We are pleased to have been awarded the opportunity and responsibility to help enhance the health and well-being of Mississippi's children," said Rick Jelinek, CEO of AmeriChoice. "Our wellness programs in other states have not only enhanced individuals' health but also conserved public health care resources, a record we hope to duplicate in Mississippi."

More information is available at the DOM Web_site or by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669). About UnitedHealthcare and AmeriChoice Currently serving more than 2.8 million members in 25 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriChoice, a UnitedHealth Group [NYSE: UNH] company, is a diversified health services company dedicated to helping states, localities, and other government agencies facilitate care for the economically impoverished, the medically underserved and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. For more information, visit www.americhoice.com.

Source: Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 9 January 2010