Local initiative assists pregnant women without insurance

When Dorothy DiCristo moved to Bloomington from New York in 1998, not only was she pregnant, but she was also without health insurance. Her husband's new job did not provide benefits, leaving her first child without coverage as well. When she thought she had nowhere else to turn, she discovered Hoosier Healthwise.\n"I was new in Indiana, so I didn't know anyone," DiCristo said. "Hoosier Healthwise was a source of help and support."\nHoosier Healthwise is a federally funded Medicaid health insurance program that offers free or low-cost health care coverage to children and pregnant women. Initiated in 1994, it now provides nearly a half million Indiana residents with health insurance, according to a recent Hoosier Healthwise report.\nLindsey Smith, the director of the Division of Family Resources in Monroe County, said that 10 years ago, Monroe County pushed a big initiative to enroll children in Hoosier Healthwise because many local residents did not have health insurance.\n"It is a preventative measure," Smith said. "It keeps children healthy, and it keeps them in school."\nThere are now 5,870 children in Monroe County are enrolled in Hoosier Healthwise. Their checkups, prescriptions and vision, dental and mental health care are all covered by this program.\nTo be eligible for Hoosier Healthwise, a child must live in Indiana and be younger than 19. There are two packages available for children and one of the packages requires low-cost co-payments. The premiums were between $11 and $24.75, but doubled in January, said Paul Grant, family case coordinator for the Division of Family Resources. \nThe number of family members and the household's monthly income determine the package for which a child is eligible. The program's pregnancy package does not require co-payments.\nTo apply for the program, families must fill out a one-page, front-and-back application. They need proof of their family's income, Social Security numbers and, in some cases, proof of immigration status. However, instead of completing the application at the Division of Family Resources, there are designated enrollment centers around town that can assist them.\nThere are 10 enrollment centers in Bloomington, such as the Bloomington Hospital, the Shalom Center and the Center for Behavioral Health.\n"These are in areas that are easily accessible to the public," Grant said. "We do this to ensure that as many children as possible sign up for the program."\nThe Crisis Pregnancy Center of Bloomington, where DiCristo was once a client, is another enrollment center that helps potential Hoosier Healthwise clients with their applications. \n"We go to training so we are able to assist them with questions on the forms," said Client Services Director Jennifer Peterman. "They can be confusing."\nBecause the Crisis Pregnancy Center gives free pregnancy tests, they can give women the verification of pregnancy that is needed with their application. \n"We can have them bring in things that they need to have like pay stubs and Social Security cards, and we can make photocopies," Peterman said. "It's easier on them because they don't have to go as many places."\nThe Hannah House is a ministry of the Crisis Pregnancy Center and offers pregnant women a place to live before and after their delivery. At one time, Hannah can hold up to eight residents. Almost all of them will be recipients of Hoosier Healthwise, Peterman said. \nIn January, 321 clients visited the Crisis Pregnancy Center. Peterman said that a majority of them also use Hoosier Healthwise.\n"Healthcare costs are so high during pregnancy," Peterman said. "It's really a lifesaver for most of our clients."\nAfter being accepted to Hoosier Healthwise, families must choose a doctor and a health plan of their choice.\nUntil last year, Monroe clients only had to worry about finding a doctor. But now Hoosier Healthwise is delivered through a risk-based managed care program, which means that doctors work with one of three health plans: CareSource, Harmony and Managed Health Services.\n"They normally have a doctor in mind if they're from here," said Benefit Advocate of Hoosier Healthwise Andrea Wimmer. "There are now plans for them to choose from, but many still go through their doctor."\nWimmer said that after the transition, the costs are still the same for Hoosier Healthwise clients. \nIf they do not choose a doctor or a health plan within 30 to 45 days, the state assigns them one.\nDr. Philip Crooke, an obstetrician gynecologist in Bloomington, is one of the doctors on the approved list for Monroe County. Of his patients, 38 to 43 percent are on Medicaid or use Hoosier Healthwise, said Office Manager Rhea Buskirk.\n"He started his solo practice in 1998 and has taken Medicaid patients ever since the beginning," Buskirk said.\nCrooke's patients are covered by Hoosier Healthwise until 60 days after their delivery, when they come in for a post-delivery visit.\nOn Tuesday afternoons, DiCristo can be found volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center while her youngest child is in school. \n"It's nice to have this, but it's nice to move on from this too," she said about Hoosier Healthwise.