There has not been a lot of state support for CaliforniaKids due to lack of available state funds. According to 1995 data, there were 1.7 million uninsured children in California through age 18. Roughly 400,000 of these met the requirements for Medi-Cal but were not enrolled. Program Design A. Options Considered for Coverage CaliforniaKids created an organization based on philanthropic support in order to build a basic model for children's health insurance and then expand as more funding became available. The network maintains choice and is sensitive to access, culture, language, gender, and age of child.
Plans donate their direct administrative expenses.
Services are administered by Blue Cross of California, Delta Dental, Vision Service Plan, Wellpoint Pharmacy, and Access Health. E. Sources of Financial Support for the Program CaliforniaKids is sponsored entirely by private donations. 4 Benefits at that time included outpatient visits, ER, and prescriptions. In addition, CaliforniaKids contracted with Access Health to provide a 24-hour hotline, staffed by a nurse, to answer questions and divert patients away from emergency room use. There are no premiums.