Maryland’s Kids First Act Potential Medicaid/MCHP Eligibility Determination Process Enhancements

Abstract

The Hilltop Institute, in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, conducted a study of potential processes for improving eligibility and enrollment procedures through linkages with other sources, including, but not limited to, enrollment in other public service programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Researchers also analyzed the two most typical approaches states use to maximize linking program eligibility processes and data between Medicaid/SCHIP and other existing public programs: a unified application procedure to determine eligibility for multiple programs, and accessing existing data from other public programs to identify potentially uninsured children participating in those programs. The report concludes with options for Maryland.