Natrona County-Converse County Covering Kids Project

Project Coordinator
Deborah Nelson-Allender

Phone (307)232-9018 or (307)232-0124

Community Action Partnership of Natrona County, on behalf of the Natrona County Interagency Council, sponsors one of five Covering Kids projects in the state of Wyoming. Covering Kids is a national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through the Wyoming Department of Health that works to increase awareness and enrollment of uninsured children in available healthcare coverage programs.

The project provides information and applications to families, works with other human service agencies to maintain a network of application sites throughout the county, acts as a liaison with the Department of Family Services, and exhibits at a variety of community events.

Information on the following healthcare coverage options is available:

Kid Care Plan A, formerly known as Medicaid for Children, covers all children up to six years of age who fall under the maximum income limits. It also covers some children and teens from six through 18 years of age. This coverage provides complete healthcare benefits including dental and vision. Applicants may have other insurance and still qualify for Plan A, which will then pay for deductibles, co-pays and services not covered by the primary insurance carrier.

Kid Care Plan B, the Children's Health Insurance Program, covers children and teens ages 6 through 18 whose family income exceeds the limits for Plan A but still falls below the maximum limits. This plan also provides complete coverage including dental and vision. Applicants for this plan may not have other coverage or have voluntarily given up coverage within the past 30 days.

Kid Care Plan C, which will cover children aged 0 through 18 years at a higher income level, has not yet been implemented. It is intended that families will pay no more than $200 per year for coverage provided by a private insurer. Benefits for this program will not include dental or vision. Applicants for this plan may not have other coverage or have voluntarily given up coverage within the past 30 days.

All Kid Care Health Care Plans may be applied for by using a simple mail-in application. No documentation is required and each plan provides continuous coverage for 12 months. (Families may renew each year as long as they meet the age and income requirements.)

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caring Program is available to families whose incomes exceed the limits for the Kid Care Health Care Plans, yet fall within the Caring Program guidelines. This no-cost plan provides physicians' visits, emergency outpatient care, diagnostic x-rays and laboratory services, routine immunizations and prescriptions. There are some limited dental benefits. Applicants for this plan may not have other insurance.

Wyoming Dental Health Program is open to children up to 19 years of age and will pay 85% of charges for any type of dental work needed up to a maximum of $1,000 once every three years. A separate program will pay up to $3,300 plus the cost of an exam and records for children who need braces to correct a condition that interferes with chewing, speech or breathing.