SUMMARY OF
BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION

NON-CUSTODIAL FATHERS

1. Non-custodial fathers do not have enough information about the health care needs of children to make informed decisions regarding their children’s health care.
   1. The reason for this barrier seems to be poor, non-communicative relationships with the children’ mothers.
   2. In some cases, mothers stated that all they wanted from the child’s father was for him to help pay for the medical expenses.
2. Non-custodial fathers do not have adequate information about the specialists available through their MCOs, and how their children could have greater access to specialists, such as pediatricians.
3. They are not sufficiently informed (independently of the mother) if there is something wrong with their children.
4. Mothers did not always pass along all the information to the fathers.
5. Non-custodial fathers would like to receive additional information about TennCare. They said they knew little about the services provided to children by TennCare.

CUSTODIAL FATHERS

1. There was lack of an adequate response in a reasonable time frame when the custodial father telephoned TennCare with a question.
2. Concern was expressed about obtaining emergency medical services for children when the children were out of state.
3. Concern was expressed about TennCare’s definition of an emergency. What happens when the parent thinks a health care situation is an emergency but doesn’t have time to telephone the MCO?
4. One attendee stated that he needed more information about what kinds of services TennCare provides for children.
5. Concerns were expressed that there were not enough health care providers in the community.
6. One attendee expressed that the individual could not get an appointment with their provider in an emergency.
7. Concern was expressed that some providers are biased against TennCare members, and because of that, the quality of care was questionable (i.e., a dentist was heard stating that performing a root canal for a TennCare beneficiary was a waste of money.)
8. Concern was expressed that not enough dentists were participating in TennCare. Thus it was difficult in smaller communities to find a dental provider.

CUSTODIAL MOTHERS

1. Concern was expressed that TennCare doesn’t always pay for prescribed medications.
2. Concern was expressed about the lack of dental providers participating in TennCare.
3. Concern was expressed that the (absent) father did not pay for health care and/or medications not covered by TennCare.
4. Concern was expressed about the delay in receiving authorization from TennCare to see another provider for a second opinion.
5. Similar to the fathers’ concerns, it was expressed that some physicians treated TennCare recipients differently than their other (non-TennCare) patients.
6. Concern was expressed about the need for a larger group of pediatricians available from which to choose. They did not think they should have to drive to another town to see a pediatrician.
7. Some of the attendees did not know or had not been informed that TennCare would still cover their children if they were out of their home area and needed emergency care.
8. Attendees would like to see TennCare enrollment opened for people over 18.
9. Attendees want specific information on TennCare’s drug coverage.
10. One attendee asked how TennCare determines the co-pay and deductible.