Comments from Health Action NM:
In a meeting today, Roxanne raised that Matt K has said that people applying for Medicaid Expansion before Jan 1 will get denial letters. This is not what we've heard before and we all need to be stressing the seamless process for people. If they get a denial letter, they will not be back!! The suggestion is that we got to congressional delegation, tribes go to CMS and we get a written policy from HSD so we are all clear on this before outreach starts. Of course, having health care guides inform and enroll on both should be the norm. So everyone keep their ears up on this one and hammer away in public comment.
Barbara
Comments from Disability rights NM:
Matt's statement is contrary to federal law, so it's disappointing that he's still saying it. 42 CFR 432.1205 says that during the open enrollment period from October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013, the Medicaid agency has to accept applications (whether submitted directly or through the Exchange) and determine eligibility based on MAGI. The preamble to the rule (issued July 15, 2013 in the Federal Register) noted concerns about people who become eligible for coverage effective January 2014 through the expansion being turned away and said that "individuals may not be required to return in January to reapply" (78 Fed. Reg. at 42178).
Closer to home, HSD's presentation to the LFC last week (PowerPoint attached) gives conflicting information. It DOES say that people who apply before January 1 will be assessed for expansion eligibility and if found eligible, will be sent a letter notifying them they'll be covered as of January 1. BUT it also says that people can apply starting January 1. (See slides 16-17.) I take this to mean that HSD will make no effort to inform people of the expansion option or encourage them to apply, but will comply with federal law as far as people who find their way in through no fault of HSD's.
Ellen
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