-
Set a firm implementation date and commit to it;
-
Identify key stakeholders who will directly impact the
success
of the program;
-
Provide the administrative continuity required to eliminate
barriers to continuous coverage for each child;
-
Develop a clear and continuous communication system to
ensure coordinated follow-through;
-
Establish a dedicated 1-888 toll free phone line to provide
easy
access to the public and a consistent 'call to action'
in
marketing materials;
-
Provide the commitment and resources to deploy a highly
trained and effective application assistance team;
-
Hire bi-lingual/bi-cultural staff to promote effective
communication between the Certified Application Assistor
(CAA) and the family.
-
Locate CAAs at sites where families access healthcare
results
in a greater number of completed applications;
-
Select committed sites for placement of the CAAs (some
criteria that indicate this investment include; onsite
leadership
who will champion CHI goals, the provision
of confidential
space, and the use of office equipment
as
necessary to
complete application assistance - such
as
fax, copier, etc.);
-
Mechanisms for identifying uninsured patients should
be
firmly
in place and all on-site staff members should
participate in
actively referring those patients to the CAA
during the same
visit;
-
The application assistance process should include
educating
applicants
on the utilization of the healthcare
system;
-
Create a dedicated training and events unit to promote
consistent and coordinated education to CHI staff,
health
providers, and community members; and
-
Successful application events occur when the focus of
the
event is health related. Participation at all other
events is
restricted to increasing public awareness and
marketing the
toll free line.
