Public Health Nurse Program

West Central District Health Department is contracted with Nebraska Health and Human Services System to provide community outreach and education to Medicaid and Kids Connection eligible families.  The Public Health Nurse (PHN) program has a registered nurse who will assist eligible or potentially eligible Medicaid or Kids Connection individuals by:

• Helping to find medical, dental or vision homes
• Providing information on how to apply for Kids Connection
• Providing education on accessing appropriate levels of medical care
• Identifying barriers, such as transportation and language, that prevent the family from obtaining health care services
• Offering information on community resources and assisting with referrals as needed

The PHN program nurses are able to assist health care providers with the following issues and concerns for Medicaid and eligible Kids Connection clients:

• Missed or late appointments
• Failure to present current Medicaid or Kids Connection card at appointments
• Failure to comply or follow-up with recommended medical, dental, or vision care
• Inappropriate use of the emergency room
• Transportation barriers
• Lack of health care coverage

If you need assistance in any of the above mentioned items or want more information on the PHN program, please call Jean at 308-696-1201 ext. 226 (local) or 1-877-409-4400 (toll free). Email address is:  jeankay@wcdhd.org

What is Kids Connection?

Kids Connection is health care coverage for qualified children who are without other health insurance and who do not qualify for Medicaid.  Federally called the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), it provides the same services covered under Medicaid.

What does Kids Connection cover?

Kids Connection provides well care for your child in helping to prevent diseases, finding and treating problems early, and maintaining good health and development.

Regular check-ups include:

• baby checkups and immunizations
• immunizations for school-age children
• yearly checkups for school-age children, including school and sports physicals
• dental check-ups and dental sealants
• vision and hearing testing  

Kids Connection also provides medical care for injuries and illnesses as early as possible.  This is essential in treating or correcting health problems.

Treatment includes:

• Specialty services for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions
• Mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment services
• Counseling
• HEALTH CHECK Services (EPSDT)

HEALTH CHECK is a service available to all individuals age 20 or younger who are eligible for Medicaid. HEALTH CHECK provides complete check-ups on a regular basis and provides diagnosis and treatment services for any health problems found at a check-up. Some treatment services provided as a result of a HEALTH CHECK examination require the provider to obtain approval from Medicaid before providing the service. Services included in HEALTH CHECK are - Health and developmental history; Complete physical examination; immunizations; necessary lab tests; health education; hearing check-ups; eye examinations; dental examinations; treatment for identified problems; and well-baby, well-child, Head Start, school, and sport physicals.

How can Kids Connection be my child's health coverage?

Your child's eligibility to have health coverage through Kids Connection is based primarily on your family's income.

Children may be eligible:

• if they are under age 19
• if they live in Nebraska
• even if both parents live at home
• even if one or both parents work full-time
• even if their family already has some type of health insurance*

*When you apply for Children's Medical Assistance, your children will be evaluated for enrollment based on your income.  Some programs under are not available to children who have health insurance.

Do your children qualify for Kids Connection?

1. First, take your gross income (before deductions are taken out), subtract $100 per month for each employed adult and then subtract actual day care costs.

2. Add in your unearned income such as child support, alimony, unemployment compensation, Workers' compensation, Social Security benefits, etc.

3. Then, compare this number, along with your family size, with the adjusted income figures in this chart.  If your adjusted income falls at or below the appropriate amount on this chart, your children may be eligible.

If your adjusted income falls at or below the appropriate amount on the chart, your children may be eligible for Kids Connection.

Please note: these numbers are approximates. If your family income is slightly more than the amounts shown on the chart, your children may still qualify. The best way to find out if your children are eligible for Kids Connection is to apply. If you have questions, call toll-free at 1-877-NEB-KIDS (1-877-632-5437).

These limits are effective beginning September 2009.

http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/med/kidsconx.pdf  for paper application

http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/med/spanish%20application.pdf  for paper application written in Spanish

GO TO ACCESSNebraska to:   http://accessnebraska.ne.gov/  to apply on line

• Select a self screening to determine the programs for which you may want to apply;
• Complete an online application that you can complete and submit electronically;
• Print a paper application that you can complete and mail.