The Challenge

The Draper Approach

Results Realized

The Challenge

Draper & Associates provided full-cycle Program Management for the development of the nation's first, two-phased Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). This $36 million program involved the integration of national, state, and local public and private entities in order to develop a program to provide health insurance to children of low-income families.

The Draper Approach

Early program management efforts focused on the identification and development of strategic goals for the program. The D&A project manager coordinated and facilitated strategy sessions with representatives from multiple bureaus within the ADPH as well as with critical entities outside the ADPH. Once the strategic goals were identified, Draper & Associates coordinated simultaneous activities to accomplish two goals:

Securing state-match funding was accomplished by coordinating the efforts of a team of area-specific third party consultants to provide briefings to the state legislative CHIP Commission. In conjunction with this effort, building the framework for the program required the coordination and facilitation of strategy sessions amongst both national and local public agencies and private sector parties. As part of the operational framework development, Draper & Associates ensured that strategic goals and timeframes were attainable. Often, Draper & Associates provided the "real world" check necessary to ensure that thoughts could be operationalized within the given goals and timeframe. Resultant to these efforts was the Alabama Senate's awarding of full funding to the Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).

Once state funding had been awarded, Draper & Associates' efforts focused on refinement of a written framework, gaining federal approval for the plan, as well as awarding program operations to multiple third parties. Simultaneously, Draper & Associates coordinated the compilation of a written framework from six different workgroups within the ADPH while developing a written Request for Proposal to be issued to the state's private insurance companies. Draper & Associates provided the link to ensure the program's RFP matched its operational framework. The result was Alabama having the first federal plan approval in March 1998 while issuing an RFP in April.

Selecting vendors to provide CHIP services required the coordination of several external area specific consultants, multiple workgroups within the ADPH, and the plan administrator - the State Employees' Insurance Board (SEIB). Proposals in response to the RFP were received from five of the state's largest health care providers. Draper & Associates coordinated the analysis of these responses, and facilitated decision making meetings and vendor interviews resulting in the selection of two vendors in May.

Program implementation began shortly after the selection of vendors. Draper & Associates developed the detailed project plan utilized to coordinate the activities of the two private insurance vendors, SEIB, other state agencies as well as multiple ADPH bureaus. Project implementation included the staffing and building of the CHIP operations center, the integration of disparate information technology systems, the development of statewide provider networks, and the development of marketing and outreach materials. Implementation oversight culminated in August 1998 on the steps of the state capital, as Governor Fob James officially opened the program - one month ahead of the one-year goal.

Results Realized

With Draper & Associates providing the overall program management, from strategy development to plan submission and review, Alabama 's plan was the first to receive federal approval in March of 1998. By October of 1998, Draper & Associates had assisted the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) by providing turn-key professional services consultation resulting in a fully funded, operational program within one year.

Within the first six months of the program, CHIP (now referred to as ALLKIDS), has met its one-year enrollment goals. Additionally, the program has been featured as a national case study for other states still in the development phases of their program. Draper & Associates continued to assist the State's continuing effort to improve this program by developing an "umbrella" program to provide health coverage for children with special needs.