bridging the gap training series, winter 2011 hillary lazar, program director, nhsa healthy...
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Bridging the Gap Training Series, Winter 2011Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA
Healthy Families, Healthy CommunitiesFrom Help with Groceries to Free Health Care
Understanding the Basics:
What Health-related Benefits Are and Why
They Matter
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly Food Stamps)• Women, Infants, Children Program (WIC)• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)• Medicaid
Examples of Nutrition and Medical (Health/Wellness) Benefits:
Did you know?
1 in 4
People in America worry about not being able to afford groceries
Did you know?
1 in 7
. . . and 1 in 6 are eligible
Or 48+ million Americans are receiving SNAP Benefits
Did you know?
124
Average monthly amount a SNAP Beneficiary receives
Did you know?
34 :131
Percentage increase in employee wages vs. increase in insurance premiums since 1999
Did you know?
56,000,000
The number of people in America covered by Medicaid
Workplace Success:
Decreased absenteeism
Increased retention
Greater employee commitment
Higher-levels of productivity
Routine illness = 29% of Absenteeism A two year study showed a major company reduced their absenteeism rate by 15%. They also cut their hospital costs by 34% after three years.
Turnover rate for wellness program participants for one organization was 1.8%, compared to the company-wide average of 18%.
Studies of 29 of 30 worksite health promotion and disease prevention programs proved to be cost effective.
In a four year study of a major company, sick leave was reduced 19%.
It’s good for the economy.
U.S. Nutrition Benefits 101
1. SNAP/Food Stamps - Emergency/Disaster SNAP
2. WIC - Commodity Supplemental Food
- Farmer’s Market Nutrition
3. School Food Program - Child and Adult Care Food
What it is:
Who it benefits:
Formerly Food Stamps – Pays for groceries w/Electronic Benefit Transfer Card (EBT)
Low-income families and individuals
Eligibility: Household size
Gross monthly income(130 percent of poverty)
Net monthly income(100 percent of poverty)
1 $1,180 $ 908
2 1,594 1,226
3 2,008 1,545
4 2,422 1,863
5 2,836 2,181
6 3,249 2,500
7 3,663 2,818
8 4,077 3,136
Each additional member +414 +319
Eligibility: • A household w/a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only needs to meet the net income limit.
• Certain deductions are allowed.
• Lawful Permanent Residents, Children regardless of D/O/E
Items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits:
• Food/food products• Vegetable seeds and food-producing plants• Baby formula, diabetic, and diet foods• Spices and food preservatives• Water and ice• Snack foods
How to Claim it: For more information, please visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/
SNAP toll-free number: 1-800-221-5689
What it is:
Who it benefits:
How to claim it:
SNAP benefits are processed more quickly or cover food lost in disaster
Beneficiaries w/ income & resources less than rent, mortgage and utilities
For more information, please visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/
What it is:
Who it benefits:
Vouchers for food and nutrition-related health services
Low-income mothers w/kids under 5
Eligibility:
Household size Annual Income Monthly
1 $20,147 $ 1,679
2 27,214 2,268
3 34,214 2,857
4 41,348 3,446
5 48,415 4.035
6 55,482 4,624
7 62,549 5,213
8 69,616 5,802
Each additional member +7,067 +589
Eligibility: • A pregnant woman of any age• An infant or child up to five years of age• A mother of a baby that is up to six months of age OR breastfeeding up to 1 year• A resident of the U.S.• At nutritional risk
* Not required to be a U.S. citizen
WIC Foods and Services:
• Milk • Juice • Eggs • Cereal • Infant formula • Other healthy foods • Nutrition education • Referrals to other resources and services
How to Claim it:
To find a toll-free number for your state, please visit:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/tollfreenumbers.htm
What it is:
Who it benefits:
How to claim it:
Free nutritious meals, nutrition education and referrals
Seniors (over 60) and women not eligible for WIC
Contact a distribution site
What it is:
Who it benefits:
How to claim it:
Checks for fresh, local foods at famers’ markets
Women and children in the WIC program and seniors in the CSFP
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/fmnp/FMNPfaqs.htm
What it is:
Who it benefits:
Nutritious meals to children in Public Schools
• The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) • School Breakfast Program (SBP) • Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
Low and moderate-income kids
Eligibility:
- Categorical (Eg. Foster Care, TANF recipient)
- Income-based (130% FPL – Free; 185% FPL – Reduced)
*U.S. Citizenship or Proof of Residency is not required
Breakfast and School Lunch Program Benefits:
How to claim it:
• Swipe cards, prepaid meals, or cash
• Breakfast consists of 4 food items: milk, grain, protein and vegetable/fruit/juice
• Lunch consists of five items: milk, protein, grain, and vegetable/fruit (2)
Forms given to kids in school
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/services.htm
Or call 703-305-2052
Summer Food Service Program:
How to claim it:
All kids under 19 are eligible
What it is:
Who it benefits:
How to claim it:
Healthy foods at adult and child care centers
Low-income children, adults, and their caregivers
Ask at center for details
Proof of identity Proof of address Social Security numbers or Individual Tax Identification Numbers
(ITIN) Proof of the amount of all earned and unearned income before
taxes or deductions Household composition Proof of housing and utility costs
Proof of immigration status for non-citizens (for some programs) Proof of child support and child care payments Proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses if you are age 60 or older or receive federal disability benefits
Medical Benefits 101
1. Medicaid2. CHIP3. Medicare
What it is:
Who it benefits:
Low and no-cost health insurance
Uninsured low-income individuals and families
General Eligibility:
Eligibility for pregnant women and children:
Medicaid Benefits:• Treatment and preventive health and dental care
• Hospital inpatient and outpatient services, clinic services
• Laboratory and X-ray services
• Nursing home and home health care
• Mental health facilities
• Family planning services
• Prenatal care
• Early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for children under 21
• Medicine, supplies, and medical equipment
• Medical transportation
• Some insurance and Medicare premiums
• Other health services
How to claim it:
Please visit: http://www.cms.gov/ContactCMS/
Benefit Card and Managed Care Program – Health Maintenance Organization, clinic, etc.
How it works:
What it is:
Who it benefits:
Federal Children’s Health Insurance Program administered by each state – Low and no-cost health care
Children up to 19 who don’t qualify for Medicaid
Eligibility:
Eligibility:
Eligibility:
• Under the age of 19
• United States resident
• Currently uninsured
*Some children who were covered by employer-based health insurance within the past six months may be subject to a waiting period
• Well-child care and physical exams
• Immunizations
• Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury
• X-ray and lab tests
• Outpatient surgery and inpatient hospital medical or surgical care
• Emergency care
• Medication
• Short-term therapeutic outpatient services
• Some inpatient and outpatient treatment for alcoholism, substance abuse, and mental health
• Dental and vision care and speech/hearing
• Durable medical equipment
• Emergency transportation and hospice
CHIP Benefits:
How it works:
How to claim it:
Please visit: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/contact/index.html
Or call 1-877-543-7669
Care from a list of local providers (single doctor, group practice or community health center.)
What it is:
Who it benefits:
Medical care for adults 65+
Seniors 65+ and qualified disabled persons
• Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance
• Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance
• Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Benefits and It Works:
Medicare Savings Programs:
Other Medicare-related Programs:
• Medigap
• State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)
• Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
For more information visit:
www.medicare.gov
Proof of age, like a birth certificate
Proof of citizenship or alien status*
Recent paycheck stubs
Proof of other sources of income
Proof of residency
Insurance benefit card or the policy
Medicare Benefit Card
*For some insurance programs
Health Benefits Outreach
Outreach: You Don’t Have to be an Expert
You do NOT have to be an expert to help families claim their benefits. You have two jobs:
1. Raise Awareness
2. Connect them with the Experts and Enrollment Specialists
Outreach:First Steps
What outreach works best for your organization?
• Communication methods• Existing programs• What worked in the past• Special Considerations
Self-Assessment:
Outreach: Strategic Benefits Outreach
One-timeOutreach
PERIODIC OUTREACH
SUSTAINABLE OUTREACH
The Benefits Outreach Strategy Pyramid:
Outreach: A Benefits Outreach Pyramid
Day-long Enrollment Event
PSAs
Health Awareness Day
One-timeOutreach
Outreach: A Benefits Outreach Pyramid
PERIODIC OUTREACH
• Newsletter
• Email updates
• Paystuffers
• Posters
• Fliers
• Mini-campaigns
Outreach: A Benefits Outreach Pyramid
SUSTAINABLE OUTREACH
Partnerships w/ enrollment centers
EAP
Coalition/Campaign
Worked into HR-function - Open enrollment - New hire benefit packets - Staff meetings - Regular communication
Outreach:Use Existing Resources
Get creative
Think strategically
7 is the magic number
Use Empowering language
Workplace Outreach: And Remember!
For more information about earned benefits outreach or the Bridging the Gap Initiative please contact:
Hillary Lazar, Program Director – NHSA202-347-2080 x15 • Ph 202-393-4517 Fax
LEARN MORE!