• Non-citizen children in families under the Federal Poverty Level can by eligible for the DSHS Childrens Health Program beginning January 2006. However a limited number of slots are planned and it’s expected that a waiting list will develop quickly.
  
  
• 12 month certification periods are back for Children’s Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. Families no longer have to prove eligibility every 6 months.
  
  
• Income guidelines for DSHS Medical programs changed April 1^st. To view the income guidelines for Children’s and Pregnancy Medical, visit www.metrokc.gov/health/insurance
  
  
• Healthy Kids Now! application/brochures for Children’s Medicaid and CHIP are available in seven languages. They can be ordered in bulk by contacting Lisa at 360-586-6360, ext. 101 or at  lisal@prt.wa.gov  To download individual applications, visit www.healthykidsnow.net
  
  
• Visit DSHS online at www.onlinecso.dshs.wa.gov to:
  • Use the benefits calculator to see which programs you may be eligible for.
  • Get information on local CSOs (Community Service Offices) or print an application.
  • Send comments to DSHS.
  • NOTE: At this time applying online for DSHS Medical is less efficient than applying by mail
    
    
• DSHS Medical applications are primarily done by mail.
  Mail applications to:
  
  

  King County: Region 4 DSHS PO Box 34350 Seattle, WA 98124-9511

  Pierce County: Region 5 DSHS DMS-HUB-N-27-26 PO Box 2277 Tacoma, WA 98401

• To get answers about a current or pending case or to report a change of circumstances:
  
  DSHS Medical:
  King County, 206-341-7433
  Pierce County, 253-476-7300

Basic Health Plan (BHP) is accepting applications but is in “Managed Enrollment.”

• Call BHP at 1-800-826-2444 or visit www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov to get an application.
  
  
• Managed enrollment means that your eligibility will be reviewed but that you may have to wait a few months until an opening occurs.
  
  
• Staff at Community Clinics and Public Health sites can help with the BHP application.
  
  
• Income guidelines for BHP change July 2005.  Visit the website to view the income table.
  
  
• Phone lines in other languages:
  
  

  Spanish: 1-800-321-0291	Russian: 1-800-387-8224
  Vietnamese: 1-800-423-2231	Korean: 1-800-324-1658

• Community Health Access Program (CHAP)
  206-284-0331 or 1-800-756-5437
  For medical and dental referrals, for Children with Special Health Care Needs services, for access to the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program, and for assistance in applying for Medicaid, CHIP, or Basic Health. Staff speak Spanish. Phone interpreters are available for other languages.
  
  
• DSHS Customer Relations Unit
  1-800-865-7801
  Families can call if they are having problems or concerns with DSHS that are not being addressed adequately at the local CSO level. Staff speak Spanish.
  
  
• Family Planning Hotline
  1-800-770-4334
  Information and a list of providers for Take Charge, a DSHS program that provides free family planning services for eligible women and men. Staff speaks Spanish. Phone interpreters for other languages.
  
  
• MAA Directory of Providers for Medicaid/Healthy Options and the Basic Health Plan
  
  
• Children with Special Health Care Needs
  
  
• Red Cross Language Bank (King County)
  Volunteer interpreters and translators are available to assist non-profit agencies and individuals to access basic services and resources. Individuals should call and state their language, name and telephone number. A person that speaks their language will call back.
  
  Spanish: 206-323-6565, ext. 13250
  Other languages: 206-323-6565, ext. 13251
  
  
• Transportation Broker
  Transportation can be arranged for Medicaid patients that have no other transportation to their medical appointment. Staff speak Spanish and Russian. Phone interpreters for other languages.
  
  King County: 1-800-923-7433
  Pierce County: 1-800-925-5438
  
  
• Washington State Insurance Commissioner
  Information on health insurance, including coverage for the elderly and disabled. Call 1-800-562-6900. Also, SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) Helpline: 1-800-397-4422.
  
  
• Washington Tobacco Quit Line: 1-877-270-STOP (7867)
  En español: 1-877-NO-FUME (266-3868)
  Provides support materials, linkage to local resources, and free phone consultation.

This was compiled by Access and Outreach at Public Health - Seattle & King County.

We work to decrease barriers and increase access to health care. We provide information, training, and updates so that schools, agencies and others can best assist families in accessing healthcare.

For more information, contact:

• Cathy Aby, 253-874-7642 or cathy.aby@metrokc.gov
  (South King County)
  
  
• Daphne Pie 206-205-5196 or daphne.pie@metrokc.gov
  (Seattle)
  
  
• Miguel Urquiza 206-296-9875 or miguel.urquiza@metrokc.gov (Latino Outreach)