U.S. Census Workers can stay insured

DENVER – April 27, 2009 – The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing announced today that rules were adopted to allow Colorado U.S. Census Bureau workers remain insured through Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) regardless of their temporary increase in income. For those applying for the programs, the temporary income will not be counted.

“This practice is encouraged by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as a means to prevent our most vulnerable Coloradans from losing health care coverage while temporarily employed by the U.S. Census Bureau”, says Joan Henneberry, executive director. “Clients include low-income parents, people with disabilities and the elderly and offer a valuable service by working on the census. The adoption of these rules is budget neutral and was also enacted for the 2000 census.”

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing – The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing administers the Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs as well as a variety of other programs for Colorado’s low-income, the elderly and people with disabilities. The mission of the Department is to improve access to cost-effective, quality health care services for Coloradans. For more information about the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, visit colorado.gov/hcpf.