Details on the new “CommCare Bridge” program for immigrants

Automatic enrollments into "Commonwealth Care Bridge" begin this week in the Boston area. Commonwealth Care Bridge is the newly created health insurance program for legal immigrants whose Commonwealth Care coverage was ended on August 31, 2009 because of the changes in state law. The plan is offered by CeltiCare and administered by the Connector, and will be in effect until June 30, 2010.

The Connector has released a detailed Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF) to explain how the program works. Here are some highlights and additional resources:

• Health Safety Net access: HSN will pay for CommCare Bridge members’ dental and vision services at community health centers and acute care hospitals—but will not help with co-pays. As in Commonwealth Care, members may not choose to stay on the full Health Safety Net instead of enrolling in CommCare Bridge.

• Premiums: CommCare Bridge premiums will be the same as the lowest-cost Commonwealth Care premium (PDF) for each income bracket, and the premium hardship appeal process will be the same.

• Copayments: Copays are different from those in Commonwealth Care plans, and there is no hardship waiver process for copays. There is a $50 co-pay for each non-generic drug per month. Members living with HIV can access the HIV Drug Assistance Program for help paying many co-pays.

• Enrollment: Eligible people—only those who lost CommCare coverage on August 31—will be automatically enrolled in CommCare Bridge as CeltiCare expands its provider network beyond the Boston area. No new applicants will be allowed into the program.

Other useful documents:

• CommCare Bridge member booklet in English (PDF, 958KB) and in Spanish (PDF, 941KB)

• Health Benefits and Copays (PDF) for CommCare Bridge
• Chart of automatic enrollment dates by region and service area (PDF)
• The confirmation letter (PDF) members will receive prior to being automatically enrolled

Remember: Those who are pregnant or who have disabilities/chronic illness may be eligible for more comprehensive benefits from MassHealth.