Assessing an Intensive School-Based Assistance Program to Enroll Uninsured Children

Children eligible but not enrolled in subsidized health insurance programs, such as Medicaid and S‐CHIP, received considerable outreach activity in recent years. Schools in low‐income and middle‐income communities often are cited as excellent places to find and reach parents. This study assessed the cost and effectiveness of contacting parents through schools, educating them about health insurance programs and preventive care, and assisting them with insurance applications. The accumulative cost per enrolled child was $75, and schools were able to locate and assist large numbers of uninsured children who had failed other outreach methods. School‐based application assistance and parent education succeeded in improving child access to care and utilization of services.