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CONTACT: Stephanie Ward, 608-266-1683
BADGERCARE PLUS HEALTHY LIVING GRANT AWARDED TO SECURITY HEALTH PLAN
MADISON - Today, Secretary Karen Timberlake presented a BadgerCare
Plus Healthy Living Grant to the Two-Year-Old Blood Lead Screening
Incentive project piloted by Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc. The
grant helps to promote childhood lead testing to BadgerCare Plus members
in central and northern Wisconsin.
"Blood lead tests are necessary to identify children who may
suffer from long-term health problems associated with prolonged exposure
to lead," said Secretary Timberlake. "This BadgerCare Plus
Healthy Living Grant makes it possible to help BadgerCare Plus members in
Security Health Plan's 23-county service area. The grant will help
publicize the need for families to get their kids tested and learn more
about this serious health issue."
"Security Health Plan is excited to be partnering with the
Department of Health Services and our providers in the prevention of blood
lead poisoning of our young members," said Steve Youso, Chief
Administrative Officer of Security Health Plan. "We are committed to
continuing efforts stressing the importance of blood lead screening in 1
and 2 year-old members."
Security Health Plan is the recipient of a $52,230 grant for a project
providing outreach to the parents of BadgerCare Plus children. The program
sends special mailings to BadgerCare Plus members prior to the child's
second birthday informing them of the importance of lead testing and
providing information about the $25 gift card incentive they will receive
upon verification of the test.
Although Security Health Plan's blood lead screening levels are higher
than the state average, there is still room for improvement. Approximately
40% of Security Health Plan's BadgerCare Plus members who turned 2 years
old in 2006 did not receive blood lead screening. The goal of the project
is to significantly increase the number of children screened.
The Two-Year-Old Blood Lead Testing Incentive is one of six pilot
programs run by Health Maintenance Organizations awarded BadgerCare Plus
Healthy Living Grants by Governor Doyle. Each program will test the
effectiveness of individual incentives in encouraging BadgerCare Plus
members to improve their overall health and promote healthy behaviors.
The other five recipients of BadgerCare Plus grants are:
| Plan |
Project Title |
Amount
|
| Children's Community Health Plan |
Ameliorating Barriers to Behavior Change
among Youth with Pediatric Overweight/Obesity |
$123,914 |
| Dean Health Plan, Inc. |
Healthy Beginnings |
$173,817 |
| Managed Health Services Insurance Corp. |
Encouraging Healthier Lifestyles &
Improving Health Outcomes |
$95,000 |
| MercyCare Health Plans |
Adolescent Obesity |
$41,410 |
| United HealthCare of Wisconsin/Americhoice |
Well Child Visit Incentive Program |
$111,360 |
BadgerCare Plus offers health care coverage to uninsured children in
Wisconsin. Income-eligible families are able to enroll their children in
BadgerCare Plus at no charge or buy into the program at a reasonable cost.
For more information about BadgerCare Plus, visit www.BadgerCarePlus.org,
call 1-800-362-3002 or contact your local county or tribal human services
agency.
For more information on childhood lead poisoning in Wisconsin, please
visit: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead/index.htm
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Last Revised: July 12, 2010 |
