History:
The Department of Public Health (DPH) established the
Children’s Health Outreach Initiatives (CHOI)
Program in August 1997, to provide a mechanism for reducing the
number of uninsured residents through a coordinated outreach effort for the various
health coverage programs for low-income children. In
2021, the program name was changed to ‘Community
Health Outreach Initiatives’ to reflect
our work with people of all ages in all communities
across Los Angeles County.
Health Problems:
Lack of adequate
health insurance is one of the most important barriers impacting access to health
services in Los Angeles County. Individuals without health insurance are
less likely
than those who are insured to see a physician for regular care including
preventive care, such as screening and vaccination. Uninsured families tend to rely on
emergency rooms for their regular source of care and to go without needed medical
care for acute and chronic health conditions.
Goal:
Increase health access and care for children and
families in Los Angeles County through comprehensive
outreach, enrollment, utilization and retention services
for Medi-Cal, Covered
California, and other no or low-cost health coverage and
service programs.
What Health Coverage Programs* are Included:
-
Medi-Cal
-
Covered California
-
Child Health & Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program (sunsetting
6/30/24)
-
Medi-Cal Access Program
-
Kaiser Permanente Community Health Care Program (KPCHCP)
-
Women Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food
Program
-
Referrals to ability-to-pay programs
*Health Coverage Programs are subject to change.
Please contact agencies below for an updated list
Activities:
Because of the numerous programs, all with different
eligibility requirements, it is important to inform not
only the public about these services but to also train
agency staff, who serve low income populations, to
become well informed in order to best assist clients
List of CHOI Agency Partners
- Assistance for obtaining free or low cost health care
(English & Spanish) rev. July 2020.
Contractor Activities/Services:
Outreach
- Routine training of numerous staff, parent
volunteers, and community members regarding free and
low-cost health coverage programs and services.
- Presenting to several groups including churches,
school personnel, community based agencies,
childcare providers, parent groups, small
businesses, and other sites with potentially
eligible persons.
- Participating in outreach events such as health/safety fairs and other community
events.
- Making in-person and phone contacts with potentially eligible individuals/families.
- Distributing brochures, mailers, flyers, fact sheets and training materials.
- Working with LAUSD and LACOE to allow for access to school sites for presentations
and enrollment activities.
- Disseminating information regarding these programs via newspapers and radio
spots/interviews.
- Working with small business to inform employers with low/moderate income workers
who are unable to provide insurance to their employers or their families about
the availability of low-cost programs. Contractors then give presentations to
the employees and enroll eligible family members at the business site.
Community Referrals
- Referring individuals that are not eligible for
health coverage programs to safety net providers for
medical services.
Application Assistance
- Providing application assistance to individuals/families.
- Completing enrollment applications for Medi-Cal and
other health coverage programs.
Trouble Shooting and Retention/Renewal Services
- Following up with clients to ensure enrollment in the appropriate health coverage
programs, health plans and with the appropriate
providers, and assist families to overcome enrollment barriers by troubleshooting
problems.
- Follow up with clients to ensure utilization of health services.
- Follow up with clients to assist with renewal forms necessary to retain health
coverage.
List of CHOI Agency Partners: To learn how you may
qualify with obtaining free/no cost health coverage,
contact one of our
agency partners (English & Spanish) (rev. July
2020).
Data Collection, Reporting, and Evaluation
Data from these services is collected and input into a web-based system available to
each of the contracted agencies by any computer connected to the internet. The
agencies can run data reports that include demographic information from clients
assisted. This database system also allows DPH to run up-to-date project reports as
needed to be able to provide information in order to evaluate the success of this
project.
This project highlights a successful union of County departments working together
with trusted local community-based agencies to reach and serve the population of
uninsured families in Los Angeles County.
Materials and Training:
Health coverage outreach materials have been developed collaboratively with DPSS and
community agencies. The "We’ve Got You Covered" pamphlet was developed to be utilized
for consumer education. The full color pamphlet can be ordered through the CHOI
office. La Opinion supplements with Medi-Cal applications can
also be obtained at the CHOI office.
Anyone interested in learning details regarding various
health coverage programs available, either to become an
application assistant or for an overview, can call the
two agencies in LA County contracted to provide
training, as well to review and print the “We’ve Got You
Covered” guide see the links provided below:
Maternal & Child Health Access (213) 749-4261 MCHA
Web site
Department of Public Social Services
(DPSS)
Web site
Medi-Cal Renewal Resources
CHOI System
Access Request Form
