Children uninsured? Coverage available

One in 10 Utah children is uninsured, but the majority of them need not be, a new study indicates.

Most of the state's 70,000 uninsured children qualify for low-cost or free health care through Medicaid or the state Children's Health Insurance Program — but oftentimes parents don't realize their children are eligible for the coverage, according to Voices for Utah Children.

To bring awareness to parents, first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman joined Real Salt Lake general manager Steve Pastorino at the University of Utah on Tuesday to encourage enrollment in the program.

"It is disturbing to realize many children in Utah are not receiving the health care they need," Huntsman said. "Some are missing out on annual checkups that will prevent them from developing more serious medical conditions. We hope to inform parents that coverage is available for their uninsured children."

Enrollment in CHIP began on July 1 and will remain open for an undetermined period of time. New slots are available as a result of legislation passed earlier this year that provides an additional allocation of $3.3 million in tobacco settlement funds. The money will mean 12,000 more children can come into the program, which had previously seen enrollment capped at 28,000.

CHIP is a health insurance plan for children funded jointly by the federal and state governments. Eligibility is based on family size and household income; a family of four earning up to $38,000 annually may qualify.

For more information or to find a health department eligibility office nearby, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW.