Using Information from Income Tax Forms to Target Medicaid and CHIP Outreach: Preliminary Results of the Maryland Kids First Act

Studies show that 70% of the uninsured children in the United States, approximately 5 million children, are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) yet remain uninsured, despite varying State outreach efforts. Beginning in 2008, Maryland introduced Maryland Kids First Act, a new and innovative way to identify and enroll eligible children; through income tax filings. Preliminary efforts, results, and challenges are outlined here.