(INSIDE COVER)
Actors:
FAMILY 1
Ana María Mother
Guillermo Father
Rosita Oldest Daughter
Anita Youngest daughter
FAMILY 2 (GUESTS)
Laura Pregnant mother
Samuel Father
Carlitos Son
Bebé Baby
Gaby Neighbor
Farmacista Pharmacist
We express our deepest gratitude to the Guevara and Pérez families and to Santiago Quezada, David Loiza, Claudia Ruíz, Charles J. Braton, Petra Hager, Elvira Fernández, Miriam Hernández and David Sánchez.
This picture story was developed and produced by the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation with funds from the Department of Health and Human Services of NC and the Health Check and NC Health Choice for Children.
Better health for your children;
peace of mind for you
105,500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $9,579 or
$0.09 each (6/05)
(BACK)
It is better to prevent than to lament
This picture story introduces public health insurance to Spanish speakers. In a fun way, it explains Health Check (Medicaid) and NC Health Choice and how to apply and re-enroll their children in these free or low-cost public health programs.
BILINGUAL RESOURCES
(English and Spanish)
North Carolina Family Health Resource Line
1-800-367-2229
Care Line
1-800-662-7030
www.NCHealthyStart.org
www.dhhs.state.nc.us/ocs
105,500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $9,579 or
$0.09 per copy (6/05)
(INSIDE BACK)
Easy steps to apply for Health Check (Medicaid) and NC Health Choice
It is easy to apply and stay enrolled!
(PAGE 1)
In Ana María's Kitchen...
AM: "Comadre" (Godmother) Thanks for helping me with the tamales for Anita's
christening.
LA: Oh, Ana María! It is the least I can do since you have welcomed
us into your home until we can get ours.
AM: By the way, Laura, have you thought about what doctor you will take your
baby to and what health insurance you will use?
LA: No, but isn't health insurance here a free service like social security
in our country?
AM: No, here it is different. Public health insurance is for those who qualify.
It helps pay for visits to the doctor, medicine or the hospital when it's necessary.
LA: How's that? Tell me more.
AM: There are two types of public insurance: Health Check (or Medicaid),
and NC Health Choice. They are offered by the government to children who qualify
based on the family's income.
LA: And are there other kinds of insurance for children?
AM: Yes, there is private insurance. Sometimes it is offered through
an employer.
LA: But is it important to have health insurance? We have never needed it.
AM: Yes, because it can be very expensive when one gets sick or has an accident.
AM: Imagine, what would you do if Carlitos fell off his bike and broke an arm?
How would you pay for a visit to the emergency room and for the treatment?
LA: Oh! God spare us. I have heard that it is very expensive to go to the
emergency room and that the bills don't stop coming.
(PAGE 2)
AM: If Carlitos got really sick and had to stay in the hospital for several
days you would be very much in debt.
LA: Don't scare me Ana María! Carlitos is a very healthy child who never
gets sick.
AM: Well one never knows, and it is better to prevent than lament.
AM: Remember when my daughter Rosita got sick with pneumonia and she had to
be in the hospital for two days?
LA: Yes, how scary!
AM: Not as scary as it would have been if I had to pay all the medical bills!
Luckily we have Health Check.
LA: Health what... ? Ana María, don't speak to me in English!
AM: Health Check, comadre, or Medicaid, is the name of one type of public health
insurance for kids.
LA: And it covered all the medical expenses?
AM: Yes, and sometimes it covers medical bills three months before the month
that you applied.
LA: Tell me how to qualify for that insurance Health... Check?
AM: Sure, but first let's finish these tamales. If not they won't be ready
until Anita is 15!
LA: Aiyee, I have told you ten thousand times not to exaggerate!
(PAGE 3)
While the tamales are cooking...
AM: Come here comadre and help me finish the "recuerditos" (reminder gifts),
that way I can keep explaining this to you.
LA: Haven;t you finished them? The christening is tomorrow.
AM: Between the two of us, we'll finish quickly while we talk.
LA: Good, but tell me more about "Health Check." You see, I am learning English!
AM: So you can continue to enjoy your coffee, I will also tell you about NC
Health Choice
LA: What? The NC Health ... what?
AM: Health Check and NC Health Choice are two very similar public health insurances.
LA: How do I know which one to apply for?
PAGE 4
AM: It's very easy. The same application is used for both. The Department
of Social Services determines if your family qualifies and for which one.
LA: Ah! What is the difference between them?
AM: Both are free or low-cost health insurance for children from birth to 19 years old and 21 years old in some cases. But NC Health Choice is for families that earn a little more and don't qualify for Health Check.
LA: How do they determine which insurance is given to each child?
AM: By the family's size and income.
Someone knocks on the door...
GA: Hi! Can I come in?
AM: That must be Gaby, my know-it-all neighbor, with Anita's gown.
(PAGE 5)
LA: Anita is going to look so pretty in this gown.
GA: Ana María, are you telling Laura about health insurance for kids?
AM: Yes Gaby, this is something new for Laura.
GA: I was afraid to apply because I have not processed my immigration papers
(adjust immigration status) and I thought that my son, who was born here, would
not qualify.
LA: I heard that when our children receive one of these insurances, the kids
or the parents have to pay it back in the future.
LA: So then, my baby who will be born here could qualify?
AM: Yes, based on that and income, and Carlitos too because he's been a legal
resident for 5 years and has his "green card"
(Green Card: Legal Residence Card)
LA: How can I get an application?
GA: Call 1-800-367-2229. They speak Spanish. Ask them to mail you an application
in Spanish or you can pick it up at your local Department of Social Services
or the Health Department. Oh here... I have an extra one you can have.
(PAGE 6)
Before the christening, in the morning...
LA: Look Samuel, I have an application for health insurance for Carlitos,
the one Gaby gave me.
SM: Laura, do we have time to complete it now?
LA: Yes, it's in Spanish and it is easy.
LA: We need proof of income for the household for last month.
SM: Including Ana María and Guillermo?
LA: No, Gaby told me that only those who are legally responsible for Carlitos.
SM: But remember, I get paid in cash.
LA: Well, then your boss has to write you a letter that says how much you
earned last month.
SM: Let's go woman, we are going to be late for church.
LA: We're done. Just give me Carlitos' social security card and his green card
to take with me on Monday.
(PAGE 7)
After the christening, at the party...
GU: Can I get you another tamalito compadre (Godfather)?
SM: Guillermo, since you insist I accept. Tomorrow I'll start my diet.
GU: Talking about diet and health, Samuel, have you found a medical home for
your family?
SM: Are you trying to get rid of us already?
GU: How could you think that compadre! A medical home is your personal doctor.
BOX: Your medical home is a doctor's office, community health clinic or the
health department. It is where you take your children for all their medical
needs.
SM: So, what benefits are there in having a regular doctor, or like you say,
a medical home?
GU: A lot, because by knowing you and your children and having your children's
medical records, they can better serve you.
SM: Is it really worth it to have a medical home?
GU: Sure compadre. You can even call or be seen there on the weekends and evenings.
They can tell you what to do so you don't run to the emergency room without
needing to.
SM: You are right. When the baby is born I am going to look for a medical home
for when the kids get sick or hurt. In fact, it looks like they are both going
to have health insurance.
A few minutes later...
RO: Mama, mama! Look!
AM: Rosita... oh baby girl! What happened?
(PAGE 8)
GA: Oh! It looks like she cut her arm.
LA: We have to take her to the ER now. Also, because of her asthma, she doesn't
stop coughing.
AM: I don't think it is necessary, I will call her doctor.
LA: On a Sunday?
GU: Sure, we can call our medical home 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
they will tell us what to do.
After hanging up with the doctor...
AM: The doctor told me how to treat her cut and he will call the pharmacy to
refill her asthma medicine. He wants me to call him tomorrow to check on how
she is doing.
LA: And both Health Check and NC Health Choice cover the asthma medicine?
AM: Yes, they cover almost everything. Therapists, surgeries, lab exams, medical
equipment, eye care, vaccines, and even visits to the dentist.
GA: Well, it's a good thing it was nothing serious, Ana María, and that
you know what to do when there is an accident.
The next morning at the drug store...
AM: Gaby, thanks for coming with me to buy the asthma medicine for Rosita.
GA: You are lucky you have a car. I have to use the transportation service
offered by Health Check.
(PAGE 9)
AM: I didn't know Health Check offered transportation. NC Health Choice doesn't.
GA: Look now I am teaching you something.
GA: Do you know that you can even ask for an interpreter? Even
as much as I study English it is not sinking in.
AM: Have patience. Like my grandma used to say "the worst fight is the one
that isn't fought," so keep trying.
AM: Let me look for my insurance card and money for my co-pay.
GA: You have to pay with NC Health Choice?
AM: Yes, with NC Health Choice some families pay an enrollment fee and a small
co-pay for doctor's visits and medicine.
GA: I am picking up a prescription medicine for my son also but with Health Check I don't pay anything.
GA: I always take my card with me to the doctor visits and when I go to the
drug store.
AM: Ah, you are so prepared.
(PAGE 10)
A month later...
GA: Hi Laura! You look great! What a beautiful and healthy baby!
LA: Thanks, I think he's healthy because I am breastfeeding. I hope he doesn't
get sick because I still have not received my Health Check card.
GA: How long has it been since you turned in the application?
LA: About a month...
GA: Sometimes it takes up to 45 days to get an answer. If you don't get an
answer soon, you should call your local Department of Social Services. And
remember, Health Check sometimes covers your child's medical bills going back
three months from the month you applied.
LA: That's great! I will call my local Department of Social Services to see
if anything else is needed.
GA: They will send you a letter to tell you if you were approved or not and
when the coverage begins and ends. The name and number of your caseworker should
appear on it.
LA: What if it's in English?
GA: There should be a number for you to call and get help and an explanation
of the letter in Spanish.
LA: Is the phone call free?
GA: Yes, free and confidential.
(PAGE 11)
GA: Your insurance card should arrive by mail separately. Always take it
with you to your doctor's visits and the drug store.
LA: What if I lose it?
GA: Call Department of Social Services. But if it's NC Health Choice you have
to call Blue Cross Blue Shield customer service.
GA: Ah... I heard you bought a house and you haven't invited me yet.
LA: Yes, we are very happy but we have been very busy with all the changes.
GA: Speaking of changes, don't forget to give your case worker your new address
and phone number.
GA: That way all your information will be up to date and your cards and re-enrollment
packet will arrive in the mail on time.
LA: Thanks for reminding me. I will do it soon.
(PAGE 12)
LA: And will they have to re-enroll every year?
GA: Yes, just mail back your re-enrollment application with all the information
and documents they ask for.
GA: Remember, to send the re-enrollment application before the due date. If
not your children will lose their health insurance. And then you'll have to
apply all over again.
LA: I will pay attention; I want my children to have health insurance.
GA: Listen Laura, I am not trying to be nosy, but how are you paying for the
house?
LA: It's been difficult but I will start working soon. Do you think we'll qualify
for public health insurance next year?
GA: Many families where both parents work think that they won't qualify, but
they do. I always tell people they don't lose anything by applying.
LA: Thanks Gaby, with the advice Ana Maria and you give me, I am happy my kids
will have a medical home and we may get help paying for medical expenses soon.