Starting this week, your clients who use the Health Safety Net should look for redetermination letters. Also, verification requests (VC-1s) for people you NEWLY enroll in MassHealth now go to the Central Processing Unit.
The MassHealth Training Forum (MTF) sent out information about these two important changes on Friday. The following links are PDFs.
I'm interested to hear how the redeterminations go for people who use the Health Safety Net. So many people were moved to Commonwealth Care last year...I wonder who is left in the net? Undocumented immigrants, people who can't get their birth certificates, those who are churned off Commonwealth Care? Do you think this process will help more people get Commonwealth Care, or will it make even the Health Safety Net less available?
NEW MassHealth Verifications
With all new MassHealth verifications now going to the CPU, the process has been slowed down significantly. Clients are now calling to ask for their updated status.
Unfortunately, MassHealth sends out a letter that their application is being processed and directs clients to call the MassHealth customer service line, not the CPU, with any questions. MassHealth CSRs cannot answer questions on the application status of clients at the CPU.
HSN
Remember -- there are still many elders who rely on the HSN!!!
HSN ERV Forms
I would like the review forms to be more accessible. It is now a simple matter to find out that a patient is not eligible on date of service because they haven't returned their review form, but if the patient doesn't have the form with them there is very little I can do for them. I feel I could resolve alot of issues for my clients if I just had some of the forms on hand.
Changes to ERV processing
This appears to be primarily an administrative change, not a programmatic change -- in other words, I don't anticipate that these changes will result in different determinations or outcomes for those applying. So, I don't think we'll see more people getting on Comm Care and I can't see why HSN would be less available as a result of a separate ERV unless it creates confusion for those of us who are submitting ERVS. No secret here: the vast majority of people who we help to apply for HSN are undocumented immigrants. Others get HSN while waiting for other coverage or as a secondary coverage.
While we're on the subject maybe someone can clarify...If all members in a household have HSN, and some also have other coverage (i.e. CMSP) are they "HSN Only", or "mixed"?
Thanks.
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