Ohio’s Children’s Buy-In program, a state-funded program for certain uninsured children
Ohio’s Children’s Buy-In (CBI) program is a state-funded health care program for certain uninsured children in families with income over 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Applications for CBI are now being accepted, with enrollment beginning June 1, 2008. The program was created as part of Governor Strickland’s plan to “Turnaround Ohio,” to provide more uninsured Ohioans with access to affordable health care. It is expected that 5,000 children will be enrolled in this program by June 30, 2009.
Who is Eligible?
• Children younger than 19 years of age
• Must be a U.S. citizen and an Ohio resident
• Family’s household income must be more than 300 percent FPL (see chart below for minimum income level requirements)
• Child must have been uninsured for the previous six months
In addition…
The child must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Unable to obtain insurance coverage due to a preexisting condition
• Lost the only available insurance coverage because of a lifetime benefit limitation
• Cost of the only available insurance is more than twice the premium for CBI
• Child participates in the Ohio Department of Health’s Program for Medically Handicapped Children (also known as “BCMH”)
There are financial requirements that are a lot more affordable compared to Medicaid income guidelines.
What Health Services are Covered?
CBI services include medically necessary:
• physician office visits and immunizations
• inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• emergency room and urgent care services
• prescription drugs based on a limited formulary
• mental health and substance abuse services
• ancillary services, including durable medical equipment, home health care, laboratory work, radiology services and ambulance use
• limited nursing home care
• case management
Once a child is found eligible for CBI, benefits will be administered by CareSource, a managed care plan, through a network of contracted health care providers throughout the state.
See link for a two page simple full description of this program: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/cbi/factsheet.pdf