CMS Seeks Applications for $40 Million in CHIPRA Enrollment and Outreach Grants - February 16, 2011

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Feb. 4 announced a new series of grants for enrollment and outreach efforts in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The announcement, on the second anniversary of passage of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), will provide a total of $40 million to state and local governments, community-based and nonprofit organizations, tribes and others to increase children’s participation in CHIP. This new round of funding is part of $100 million authorized under CHIPRA for outreach and enrollment efforts. Though the focus of these grants is outreach and enrollment of children, many of the efforts, particularly in use of technology, will have applicability across Medicaid populations.

In a meeting with NAPH on Feb. 10, Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations at CMS, encouraged NAPH member hospital systems to apply for funding. Applications for the new funds are due by April 18, 2011. More details of the grant funding may be found here, and CMS will be holding a call to discuss the opportunities on Feb. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time (call-in 1-877-267-1577, meeting ID: 5780) and March 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time (call-in 1-877-267-1577, meeting ID: 0107). Both calls will cover the same information.