Covering Kids and Families coalition expands to serve Henry, Fayette Counties

East Central Indiana – Heart of Indiana United Way (HIUW) announces the expansion of its Covering Kids and Families (CKF) Coalition to serve Henry and Fayette counties. HIUW's coalition started in 2009 when United Way began serving as the lead agency for CKF in Madison County. The primary goal of the coalition is to reduce the number of uninsured children and families who are eligible for public health coverage but remain uninsured.

"Every person deserves healthcare regardless of the contents of their wallets. Everyone should be able to prevent, treat or recover from illness or injury without fearing bankruptcy," said Karen Hemberger, Vice President for Impact at Heart of Indiana United Way. "Access to affordable healthcare is fundamental to every person's ability to be stable and thriving. Healthy children perform better in school. Healthy adults are more productive at work and have fewer sick days. The whole community benefits when its residents have healthcare."

Covering Kids and Families staff and coalition partners work to connect with local uninsured families through outreach activities, enrollment events, and referrals from local social service organizations. Additionally, the coalition offers free help to residents to enroll in and understand state and federal health insurance through the coalition's network of licensed healthcare navigators. Navigators assist with programs such as Medicaid, Hoosier Healthwise, Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women, the Healthy Indiana Plan, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Navigators assist at all points in the enrollment process and will work with individuals and families to maintain their coverage once approved. To find a navigator near you visit http://www.heartofindianaunitedway.org/ckf

With Heart of Indiana United Way now serving Henry and Fayette counties, residents will have access to local, coordinated support for securing and keeping their healthcare coverage.

"We've had great success in Madison County in getting local families and children covered. Our uninsured rate has gone from 12% to 8.4% over the time that our CKF Coalition has been serving the community," said Hemberger. "Our goal is to now to do the same in Henry and Fayette counties."

Heart of Indiana United Way's CKF Coalition includes Anthem, Ascension St.Vincent/RUAH, Aspire, CareSource, Community Hospital Anderson, Excel Center, Henry County Health Department, Indiana Department of Child Services, Indiana Division of Family Resources – FSSA, Indiana Rural Health Association, Indiana 2-1-1, Ivy Tech, Jane Pauley Community Health Center, Madison County Health Department, Meridian Health Services, MDWise, MHS – Managed Health Services, Minority Health Coalition of Madison County, Nurse Family Partnership, Open Door Health Services, Purdue Extension, SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs – Medicare Eligibility Assistance), WIC – Nutritional Assistance Women, Infants and Children

Contact information for local healthcare navigators is listed below.

Statewide

Family and Social Services - 800-403-0864

Covering Kids and Families of Indiana – 1-888-975-4253

Multiple Counties (Madison, Henry, Fayette)

Heart of Indiana United Way - 765-608-3062

Henry County

Henry Community Health - 765-599-3179

Meridian Health Services - 765-288-1928