Form for medical assistance simplified

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

A new, simpler application for the state's healthcare assistance programs for the poor is expected to help enroll at least 6,000 more uninsured children and help more pregnant women, state officials and other health advocates said yesterday.

The new form, for example, no longer requires information on absent parents and offers bilingual and sign interpreter services in 15 languages. Pregnant women also no longer need to provide a medical verification of their pregnancy, a requirement that delayed enrollment. The federal government eliminated that requirement in September.

Previously parents would get excited about the program "and then they'd get turned off by the (enrollment) process itself," said Barbara Luksch, Hawai'i Covering Kids project director. "So what we want to do is make it simpler and easier for them when they learn about this program."

There are more than 22,000 uninsured children in Hawai'i, of which about 14,000 are eligible for the state's healthcare assistance programs, according to Hawai'i Covering Kids.

Mary Khan, a 37-year-old mother of eight, recalled the first time she worked on the previous application. It took her three days to complete it in her spare time at work, she said.

"It was very difficult, it was just too lengthy, and there were questions on there that I was reluctant to answer," said Khan, who works for a time-share company. "I was reluctant to fill out the old form just because I knew how long it was."

The new form will be much easier for everyone involved, she said.

The new forms also include questions and answers about the application process, phone numbers of related public services and Med-QUEST offices, and information about free regular medical check-ups for children and youth.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.