Dr. Dynasaur
Encyclopedia
Dr. Dynasaur is a publicly-funded health care
program in the U.S. state
of Vermont
, created in 1989. Vermont had an estimated 140,000 people under age 18 (90,000 under 300% above the FPL (Federal Poverty Level)). Dr. Dynasaur covered 56,000 of these uninsured. After adding the coverage of this program to those already covered by private health insurance, Vermont had achieved a virtually universal health insurance for children. As a result, the state was regarded as having the best health care program in the United States
.
At the time of its creation, Dr. Dynasaur used state funds program to provide health care
for pregnant women
and children ages six and under who did not have health insurance
and who did not qualify for the federally-funded Medicaid
. The program covered pregnant women up to 200% above the Federal Poverty Level and children up to 225% above the Federal Poverty Level. Co-payments were required for some medical services. In 1992, Dr. Dynasaur coverage was expanded to children and teens through age 17. To conform to Medicaid, coverage under other health insurance no longer precluded eligibility and co-payments were eliminated.
In October 1998, coverage was further expanded to children in families with incomes up to 300% above the FPL through these 1902(r)(2) provision and Vermont's section 1115(a) demonstration waiver and through the State Children's Health Insurance Program
authorized by Title XXI of the Act. As of January 1, 2002, this translates to income for a family of three of $30,144 for coverage for a pregnant woman and $45,216 for coverage for children. There is no asset limit for Dr. Dynasaur eligibility.
The primary goal is to assure access for pregnant woman and children to a full range of health care services with a strong emphasis on prenatal
and preventive care
, and to provide a system of coverage in concert with private health insurance that ensures universal health insurance coverage for all Vermont children. This access to care is essential to successfully achieve a number of key outcome indicators of Healthy Vermonters 2010, a major initiave of the Vermont Agency of Human Services
. A secondary goal is to assist working families to maintain their self-sufficiency. This complements the Vermont's welfare reform initiative by offering health coverage to low and middle-income families who do not receive welfare cash assistance.
Coverage under Dr. Dynasaur is comprehensive prenatal care, routine check-ups, immunizations, hospital care (both inpatient and outpatient), prescriptions
, x-ray
and lab tests, limited dental and vision services and other medical services. Most Dr. Dynasaur beneficiaries receive services through an HMO
or PPO
. No co-payments apply for any of these services.
A monthly program fee of $30 per family is required for coverage for people under age 18 and pregnant women whose family income exceeds 185% of FPL but is less than or equal to 225%. A $50 per month per family program fee is required for children with income in excess of 225% of FPL and no other insurance coverage. If there is other coverage, Dr. Dynasaur is a secondary payer.
Publicly-funded health care
Publicly funded health care is a form of health care financing designed to meet the cost of all or most health care needs from a publicly managed fund. Usually this is under some form of democratic accountability, the right of access to which are set down in rules applying to the whole population...
program in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, created in 1989. Vermont had an estimated 140,000 people under age 18 (90,000 under 300% above the FPL (Federal Poverty Level)). Dr. Dynasaur covered 56,000 of these uninsured. After adding the coverage of this program to those already covered by private health insurance, Vermont had achieved a virtually universal health insurance for children. As a result, the state was regarded as having the best health care program in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
At the time of its creation, Dr. Dynasaur used state funds program to provide health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
for pregnant women
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
and children ages six and under who did not have health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
and who did not qualify for the federally-funded Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
. The program covered pregnant women up to 200% above the Federal Poverty Level and children up to 225% above the Federal Poverty Level. Co-payments were required for some medical services. In 1992, Dr. Dynasaur coverage was expanded to children and teens through age 17. To conform to Medicaid, coverage under other health insurance no longer precluded eligibility and co-payments were eliminated.
In October 1998, coverage was further expanded to children in families with incomes up to 300% above the FPL through these 1902(r)(2) provision and Vermont's section 1115(a) demonstration waiver and through the State Children's Health Insurance Program
State Children's Health Insurance Program
The State Children's Health Insurance Program – later known more simply as the Children's Health Insurance Program – is a program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides matching funds to states for health insurance to families with children...
authorized by Title XXI of the Act. As of January 1, 2002, this translates to income for a family of three of $30,144 for coverage for a pregnant woman and $45,216 for coverage for children. There is no asset limit for Dr. Dynasaur eligibility.
The primary goal is to assure access for pregnant woman and children to a full range of health care services with a strong emphasis on prenatal
Prenatal care
Prenatal care refers to the medical and nursing care recommended for women before and during pregnancy. The aim of good prenatal care is to detect any potential problems early, to prevent them if possible , and to direct the woman to appropriate specialists, hospitals, etc...
and preventive care
Preventive medicine
Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, rather than curing them or treating their symptoms...
, and to provide a system of coverage in concert with private health insurance that ensures universal health insurance coverage for all Vermont children. This access to care is essential to successfully achieve a number of key outcome indicators of Healthy Vermonters 2010, a major initiave of the Vermont Agency of Human Services
Vermont Agency of Human Services
The Vermont Agency of Human Services is a Vermont executive agency . Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on Human Services for the U.S. state of Vermont....
. A secondary goal is to assist working families to maintain their self-sufficiency. This complements the Vermont's welfare reform initiative by offering health coverage to low and middle-income families who do not receive welfare cash assistance.
Coverage under Dr. Dynasaur is comprehensive prenatal care, routine check-ups, immunizations, hospital care (both inpatient and outpatient), prescriptions
Medical prescription
A prescription is a health-care program implemented by a physician or other medical practitioner in the form of instructions that govern the plan of care for an individual patient. Prescriptions may include orders to be performed by a patient, caretaker, nurse, pharmacist or other therapist....
, x-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
and lab tests, limited dental and vision services and other medical services. Most Dr. Dynasaur beneficiaries receive services through an HMO
Health maintenance organization
A health maintenance organization is an organization that provides managed care for health insurance contracts in the United States as a liaison with health care providers...
or PPO
Preferred provider organization
In health insurance in the United States, a preferred provider organization is a managed care organization of medical doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who have covenanted with an insurer or a third-party administrator to provide health care at reduced...
. No co-payments apply for any of these services.
A monthly program fee of $30 per family is required for coverage for people under age 18 and pregnant women whose family income exceeds 185% of FPL but is less than or equal to 225%. A $50 per month per family program fee is required for children with income in excess of 225% of FPL and no other insurance coverage. If there is other coverage, Dr. Dynasaur is a secondary payer.