Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program

Overview

The Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program (CCHAP) was established in 2006 by Steve Poole, MD. The nonprofit organization provides support services to private pediatric and family medical practices to help them devote 10 percent or more of their practice to caring for children enrolled in Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). With the support of CCHAP, the percentage of pediatricians and family doctors caring for publicly insured children in the Front Range increased from 20 percent to 90 percent, serving tens of thousands of low-income children.

Results found that pediatric and family medical practices participating in CCHAP cut in half the emergency room visits of the publicly insured children they see, and achieved other costs savings with an increased focus on well-child visits and preventive care. Additionally, CCHAP linked the participating practices to an array of services for families provided by 30 community-based organizations (e.g., mental health counseling, social services, transportation, case management and an immunization reminder system). Other notable results have included higher immunization rates, more preventive care visits, and decreased hospitalization rates.

CCHAP was the recipient of The Colorado Trust’s 2009 John R. Moran, Jr. Grantee Leadership Award.