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MEDICAID AND CHIP GIVE KIDS A SHOT TO STAY HEALTHY THIS FLU SEASON

FLU VACCINE AND OTHER ESSENTIAL MEDICAL CARE IS COVERED

Doug Olson, MD

Chief Medical Officer Medicaid/CHIP, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Each year, tens of thousands of children are hospitalized due to the flu. In fact, during the 2019-2020 flu season, more than 52,000 child hospitalizations occurred. It’s important to remember even healthy kids of any age can get seriously sick from the flu, and they can spread it to family, friends and others. That’s why the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is particularly important this year. The best way to keep kids and teens healthy is by ensuring they receive the annual flu vaccine. With Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) children can received a free flu vaccine, as well as access to essential medical care that can help keep them healthy all year long.

Many parents may have held off on getting immunizations or postponed medical appointments for their children due to COVID-19. For uninsured kids in families with limited incomes, Medicaid and CHIP offer eligible children and teens up to age 19 access to routine and emergency care, eye exams, dental visits, mental health services, prescriptions, and other care. And this gives parents peace of mind.

Eligibility is dependent on household size and income and varies by state. On average, a family of four earning up to $50,000 a year or more may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. On Wednesday, December 16^th, Dr. Doug Olson will be available for interview to discuss the importance of the flu vaccine and how CMS is helping eligible children and teens obtain health coverage through Medicaid and CHIP.

To get more information, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) or visit the

“Find Coverage for Your Family” section on InsureKidsNow.gov

More About Dr. Doug Olson:

Dr. Doug Olson is Chief Medical Officer at the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS). Dr. Olson works to advance value, quality and equity in Medicaid and CHIP, supporting CMCS’ mission to improve the health of the programs’ 73.5 million beneficiaries. 

He has had a career focused on the underserved, caring for the needs of Medicaid beneficiaries and collaborating with delivery systems to improve quality of care with a special focus on complex patients. Prior to his time at CMS, he worked in clinical leadership positions in the community health center setting, working to advance quality of care for patients of all ages. He worked collaboratively to design systems that focus on integration among medical, behavioral health and dental services with a focus on social determinants of health and community collaborations.

Dr. Olson graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine/primary care at Yale. A fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, he is board certified in both internal medicine and addiction medicine.