NICHQ is an independent, nonprofit organization assisting organizations and professionals to find innovative ways to help children and families live healthier lives. NICHQ’s website includes resources on a wide range of maternal and child health topics.
Benchmark: Health Insurance
Increase the proportion of Healthy Start women and child participants with health insurance to 90% (reduce uninsured to less than 10%).
Healthy Start participants should enroll in health insurance to guarantee that they qualify for and receive both preventive and essential health care services. Although uninsured rates are decreasing in the U.S., disparities persist within race, income, and age groups. Under the Affordable Care Act, many women not previously insured now qualify for health insurance (including Medicaid and Marketplace coverage) but may not realize this, and may need assistance in accessing it.
A Performance Measure Resource Sheet is available summarizing recommended strategies and a selection of resources and evidence-based practices related to this benchmark to aid Healthy Start grantee organizations, partners and their staff in supporting the women and families they serve.
Featured Resource: Evidence-Based Practice
New Benefits for Breastfeeding Moms: Facts and Tools to Understand Your Coverage under the Health Care Law
This toolkit is designed for women, advocates, community-based organizations, and health care providers to provide information on the coverage of breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling in the health care law (Affordable Care Act) and offer tools to women who encounter problems with this coverage. The toolkit also includes detailed instructions on how to call insurance companies, how to file an appeal if the plan denies coverage, and provides draft appeal letters tailored to commonly encountered scenarios.
Office on Women’s Health
OWH provides national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education, and model programs.
Breastfeeding Early Elective Delivery Prenatal Care and Education Reproductive Life Planning/Family Planning
Zero to Three
A national nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals, and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development. The website includes resources on child development and behavior, early care and education, child maltreatment, and public policy.
Breastfeeding Early Elective Delivery Home Visiting Life Course Model Parenting Education Prenatal Care and Education Reproductive Life Planning/Family Planning Social Determinants of Health Socio-emotional Development for Children
Health Insurance Marketplace
This is the official government website where participants can find out if they qualify for health insurance, what their options are, and what assistance may be available to them (including Medicaid and CHIP). They can then proceed to apply for insurance at this site
Getting the Coverage You Deserve: What to Do If You Are Charged a Co-Payment, Deductible, or Co-Insurance for a Preventive Service
This toolkit provides information on women’s preventive health services covered under the Affordable Care Act, and tools women can use if they encounter problems with this coverage. Includes templates for appeal letters to insurance companies in case of being wrongfully charged co-pays or deductibles for preventive services, birth control, breastfeeding counseling, BRCA testing, colonoscopy, or well-woman visits.