Start of Nevada Check Up slowed up

"I'd hate to say we're off track, but we're very much being held at the station," says Chris Thompson, an administrator with the Department of Human Resources who is developing the Nevada Check Up program.

The delay stems from concerns by the federal Health Care Financing Administration that some children will be enrolled in Nevada Check Up instead of Medicaid, a separate federal program.

Medicaid costs are shared equally by the state and federal government, but Nevada Checkup is funded 65-35 with the state paying the smaller share. Federal officials want children eligible for Medicaid enrolled in that program instead of the more costly Nevada Check Up.

But Thompson, who has been negotiating almost daily with federal officials since May 31 to get Nevada Check Up approved, hopes for a resolution by Thursday, when the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee meets.

If the issue is resolved, the state will wrap up negotiations with health-maintenance organizations that want to participate, said Thompson, administrator of the Health Care Financing and Policy Division.

Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, a member of the Legislative Committee on Health Care, said the state is committed to resolving the issues with the federal agency to get the program approved.

"I think the federal government will approve Nevada Check Up," she said. "They may force us to make additional modifications, but the Legislature is committed to ensuring that children have basic health insurance guarantees."

"If we have to modify the plan, then we'll do that," Buckley said. "But the longer it takes the federal government to approve the plan, the longer it takes before these children will get health insurance."

Thompson said the state has applications from the parents of 4,984 children, and most are expected to be eligible for Nevada Check Up.

State officials estimate there are 45,000 children eligible for the program, which would cost $47 million a year in Nevada if every eligible child signs up.

Parents who earn 200 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible for the coverage for their children from birth through age 18. As an example, a family of four earning $32,000 would be eligible.

The plan, which requires modest fees and copayments, will include dental and vision care and prescriptions.

The program will work by having health-maintenance organizations agree to provide the coverage to participants for the rate set by the state, about $1,000 per child per year.

Parents would chose one of the competing plans and get the health care through the doctors and health-care providers that are part of each health organization.

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