Health Insurance Coverage

Definition:
The percent of children who have health insurance coverage.

Data Source: United States Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates

Story Behind the Data:

 While children’s health coverage does not affect a child’s ability to get treatment if he or she is sick or injured, children without health insurance often do not get routine and preventive care.  This can result in health risks going undetected until issues become more serious and treatment ultimately more expensive.  Over the past several years, Maryland has made significant strides in connecting children to health insurance, and continues to outpace the US as a whole.  As of 2012, the most recent data from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimate (SAHIE) of the United States Census Bureau shows that 95.8% of Maryland’s children have health insurance.  Much of this increase is a result of Maryland’s decision to expand Medicaid and add more children to the State’s coverage.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene works with families to enroll children in the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) and MCHP Premium for families below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.  Maryland has implemented a number of features over the last few years to streamline the enrollment process for Medicaid and MCHP, while continuing to increase enrollment.  As a result, from FY2010-2013, Maryland received annual performance bonuses from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Additional Resources:

• Jurisdictional Data
• Click here find out more about the Maryland Children’s Health Program, including information on how to apply.
• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Resource Locator to connect parents and caregivers to healthcare resources in their communities.