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Outreach/Enrollment

Engaging families and informing them of the benefits of enrolling their children in State health and human services programs has been a perennial challenge for State officials across the nation. Evidence has shown that States are challenged not only to enroll children into the new SCHIP programs, but to enroll eligible children into Medicaid as well.

With the implementation of SCHIP, States will face additional challenges in identifying and enrolling newly eligible children in higher income groups. Current health services research and States' experiences with Medicaid expansions suggest that an effective blending of social marketing, community-based outreach, and simplified eligibility procedures are required to successfully maximize enrollment.

Background Information on Key Policy Issues

• What Have Been the Historical Barriers to Public Health Program Enrollment?
• What are the Title XXI Outreach and Enrollment Regulations?
• What are the Basic Elements of Social Marketing?
• Examples of Effective State Medicaid Outreach Strategies
• Examples of Various Approaches Available for Facilitating Enrollment in SCHIP

Recent Developments

Current Research Findings

Click here to access references to current research regarding outreach and enrollment issues.

AHRQ Activities

Click here to access information on additional AHRQ activities related to SCHIP.