Hawk-i is a health insurance program for children in Iowa.  It covers some children whose household income is too high for Medicaid (also known as Title 19). 

Hawk-i is short for Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa.  It is Iowa's version of the federal program, SCHIP. SCHIP is short for States Children's Health Insurance Program.  You may remember that SCHIP was in the news recently because Congress was working to make a change in the program that would have made SCHIP available to many more children. 

In Iowa, the hawk-i program covers children whose household income is as high as 200% of the federal poverty level.  Families also get a 20% earned income deduction. That means that a family can earn up to 220% of the federal poverty guidelines and still qualify for the program.

What does hawk-i cost?

For many eligible households, there is no premium, so the cost is zero.  For others, the cost is $10 per child per month and no more than a total of $20 per month. 

Are there any copays?

Right now, the only co-pay is a $25 co-payment for each emergency room visit if the child's medical condition does not meet the definition of emergency medical condition.  The ER co-payment does not apply to children whose family income is less than 150% of the federal poverty level for a family of the same size. The co-pay doesn't apply when the child is an eligible American Indian or Alaskan Native.

What if my child has other health insurance?

In order to be eligible for the hawk-i program, a child must not be covered by other insurance.  A child who is currently enrolled in a health plan may not be eligible. 

What if my child had other health insurance, but doesn't have it anymore?

In the past, if a child lost health insurance coverage, that child might need to wait up to six months before being covered by hawk-i, but that is no longer the case. 

Do either my child or I need to be a U.S. Citizen to get hawk-i?

Your child needs to be a resident of Iowa. Your child also needs to be either a U.S. Citizen or lawfully-admitted alien (immigrant).  The parent or responsible person does not need to be a U.S. Citizen or lawfully-admitted alien (immigrant). 

What if my child is eligible for Medicaid?

If your child is eligible for Medicaid, then your child is not eligible for hawk-i.  In fact, when hawk-i gets an application for a child, they screen it for Medicaid eligibility.  If the child would be eligible for Medicaid, the hawk-i program refers the family to DHS, which will contact the family to see if they wish to receive Medicaid benefits. 

What happens when my child is approved for hawk-i?

You will get a written decision telling you that your child has been approved. 

There are a few companies that provide insurance through the hawk-i program. Where you live in the state determines whether or not you are eligible for a particular insurance company.  A few counties in the state offer a choice between two different companies.  Each company's coverage is a little bit different, but they all have to provide basic health insurance.

The companies are:

• Wellmark Classic Blue Health and Dental (1-800-211-6797);
• Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa Blue Access and Blue Dental (1-800-211-6797);
• Americhoice, a plan from UnitedHealthCare Plan of the River Valley Inc. (formerly known as John Deere Health Plan)  (1-800-690-1606, TDD 1-800-884-4327); and
• Delta Dental (1800-544-0718).

If more than one plan is available to you, then you will be asked to choose a plan. If you do not choose a plan within 10 working days, then the third-party administrator will choose a plan for you and notify you of enrollment in that plan. 

Under the hawk-i program, these insurance companies provide the insurance, and you will receive an insurance card with the program's name and information on coverage. Under the hawk-i program, each plan must cover the following:

• Doctor visits
• Outpatient hospital services
• Well child visits
• Vaccines and shots (immunizations)
• Emergency care
• Inpatient hospital services
• Prescription medicines
• Eye glasses and vision exams
• Dental care and exams
• Hospice care
• Speech therapy and physical therapy
• Ambulance services
• Nursing care services
• Durable medical equipment
• Hearing exams
• Home health care
• Chiropractic care
• Mental health/substance abuse care

Each plan provides for payment of assistive technology. Generally, under all three plans, durable medical equipment is covered, so long as it is medically necessary. Hearing aids and eye glasses are covered with certain limitations as to costs, and from which provider you may have to purchase the products.  In all the plans, eye glasses are covered up to $100.00 per year.

What happens if my situation changes after my child has been approved for hawk-i?

You need to report changes that might affect eligibility to the third-party administrator within 10 working days of the change.  The day of the change is counted as the first day of the 10 days. 

What kinds of changes should I report?

You should report:

• If your child who is getting hawk-i coverage becomes pregnant
• If your child who is getting hawk-i coverage enters a non medical public institution (like a jail)
• If your child who is getting hawk-i coverage moves to another state
• If your child who is getting hawk-i coverage is enrolled in other health insurance coverage
• If you (the child's parent) start working for the state of Iowa\
• If your income (the income of the child's family) decreases (so that your premium may be decreased)

Do I need to report if my income increases?

Once your child has been approved for hawk-i, the enrollment lasts for 12 months.  If the family's income increases during those 12 months, that change will not affect the child's eligibility. 

There will be a review of eligibility every 12 months.  At that time, you should report if your income has increased. 

Will I be notified if something happens and I will have to pay more or my child's enrollment will be cancelled or denied?

The third-party administrator is supposed to send you a written notice when you are approved, AND if there are any changes that adversely affect you or your child. 

What happens if I get a notice that my child's benefits are being reduced, cancelled, or denied?

You have a right to appeal.  You should take a written letter to the DHS office in your county and tell them that you want to appeal the reduction, cancellation, or denial.  DHS will then decide whether your appeal was filed in time. If it was filed in time, then DHS will set a hearing. 

The time limit for filing an appeal is 30 days after the date on the notice that you want to appeal, OR before the effective date of action. For example, DHS might send you a notice dated July 10, 2008, that you will have to start paying more for a premium starting on September 1, 2008.  In that case, you will have until August 31, 2008, to file an appeal (which is more than 30 days after the date on the notice). 

If you file your request for appeal more than 30 days after the date on the notice, but less than 90 days after the date, then DHS will decide whether you had "good cause" for filing late.