As I carefully placed a paper cup full of coffee on the note-taking table, a stream of people both familiar & new passed by the pastry table and settled in for our March 7 Western Health Access Network Meeting. Nearly every chair in the circle was full with HAN members who had driven to Amherst from as far as Leominster and Great Barrington to share enrollment concerns and have a discussion about estate recovery rules (PDF).
Our “Community Updates” seemed to move past the aftershocks of the mandate deadline toward expanding and deepening outreach efforts. Outreach programs in Western Mass have been opening up satellite offices, collaborating to reach rural areas with technology, producing spots for radio and television, holding health fairs, reaching out to people recently released from prison, and working with faith communities.
Participants in our March 7 meeting (PDF) also shared resources about free tax preparation help in Western Massachusetts for low-income people, elders, and people with disabilities. There are Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs hosted by UMass Amherst, Springfield Partners for Community Action, and Franklin County Community Action. AARP also offers tax assistance at many senior center locations.
Enrollment concerns from the March 7 HAN meeting
HAN members discussed recent mailings from Commonwealth Care that, if responded to incorrectly, mean that people are dropped from the program.
For example, some clients, having already filled out an “Exceptions Form” and proven they do not have access to other insurance, are receiving the same form 4-6 months later. Those who ignore the form (perhaps thinking they have dealt with it already) will lose their health coverage. Sometimes the Connector is able to fix this problem over the phone and re-enroll the client.
Other people, upon applying to Commonwealth Care, receive something new called a “Reconsideration Form.” Enrollment workers at HAN said they’ve been able to figure out that it is a form issued by the Connector. However, the only way to interact with the office that issues this form seems to be through snail mail; no phone or fax is available for questions.
HAN members reported that some MassHealth clients are being denied eligibility until they are able to provide picture IDs for minor children (such as a school photo or passport). Though some MEC workers are asking for these IDs, it is not a consistent requirement. Participants in the meeting recommended contacting a supervisor at the MEC if this issue comes up, to make sure this requirement is really needed from your client.
The big picture: policy discussion with Health Care For All
As enrollment specialists and advocates fight to keep eligible people enrolled, there is a lot of concern at the statewide level about how to pay for these coverage programs. As of our last HAN meeting, the Connector had scheduled and then canceled a Board meeting to discuss new proposals for Commonwealth Care co-pay and premium payments. HAN members had expressed concerns that these increases would create new barriers to access. Since our March 7 meeting, the Connector Board reached a decision to increase co-pays and premiums.
Meanwhile, Senate President Therese Murray has unveiled cost control legislation. In addition to the measures she proposes, advocates are discussing ways to shift costs to employers rather than the low-income Massachusetts residents enrolled in Commonwealth Care.
The Health Care For All Policy and Organizing Conference will take place March 28, 2008 in Boxborough.
Estate recovery issues
Jeff Leukens, from the Massachusetts Justice Project, was this month’s special guest. Jeff talked about estate recovery (PDF) – whether estate recovery will apply for Commonwealth Care, and how estate recovery works for MassHealth.
The Medical Benefit Request (MBR) form that all applicants to state health insurance programs must sign (for MassHealth, CMSP, Healthy Start, Commonwealth Care, and the Health Safety Net), states, “I understand that if I am aged 55 or older, after I die, MassHealth may be able to get back money from my estate.”
HAN members have had a lot of questions about how to help clients make the best decision about signing up for state health insurance programs – both for their own health care and for their families after they die. Some clients have refused to sign up for Commonwealth Care because they were concerned that the “estate recovery” clause on the MBR would prevent them from passing on their homes or other property.
Estate recovery remains a hot topic, and people are still asking questions.
Next Western HAN meeting, on April 4, we'll have the opportunity to discuss changes in Commonwealth Care with the Director of Commonwealth Care, Melissa Boudreault. Our next Boston HAN meeting (PDF) on March 27 will have Georgia Maheras from Health Law Advocates to discuss how to help clients having trouble with health care reform.
We are seeing a lot of
We are seeing a lot of Commonwealth Care exceptions forms. Since Melissa Boudreault will be at the next HAN,could you ask her to talk about how these forms are processed and if there is a fax or phone number to reach some one who knows about them.
I have also been seeing more people who have been on the Insurance Partnership, but can not afford to continue with their private insurance. Many times they receive the max. amount $150 from Insurance Partnership, but this is not enough. The private insurance plans aften cost $400 - $600 for a single plan. We have checked out the Choice plans and there are a couple of options a little lower in cost, but the coverage isn't as good, and definatley not as good as Comonwealth Care.
I have one client who would qualify for CCP with no premium compared to the $410 a month he is currently paying under IP.He wants to switch to CCP, but I warned him that he may find himself ineligible and uninsured for 6 months. When self employed people try to make the switch they are sent the exceptions form and their situation doesn't really fit any of the exceptions.What can we do to help the low income self employed?
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