"Medicaid Moving Forward"

I found some great news for adults in AZ in need of Medicaid. Gov. Brewer signed a new law and it looks like many childless adults will be able to qualify for ins by the 1st of 2014. Check out this article and link below!!

Click Here for Direct Link to Article

Medicaid Moving Forward



Background

The Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides states multiple and complex opportunities with respect to the future of their Medicaid programs. With these opportunities in mind, Governor Brewer signed into law the AHCCCS Restoration Plan which restores coverage to thousands of Childless Adults and provides coverage for those between 100-133% of the Federal Poverty Level, beginning January 1, 2014. The links below provide detailed information regarding the impact of these provisions to Arizona’s Medicaid program. Additional information will be posted to this page as soon as it becomes available.

The AHCCCS Strategic Plan identifies four goals critical to sustain and build on the success of the AHCCCS program in light of the restoration of coverage -- the most important healthcare policy issue the State has faced since the inception of the AHCCCS program 30 years ago and can be found on the link below:

AHCCCS Strategic Plan 2014-2018



Public Input Process

AHCCCS will be involved in a variety of stakeholder efforts to inform and accept feedback from the public regarding Medicaid Moving Forward. Information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Questions and comments can be sent to Forward@azahcccs.gov. •Public Meetings New AHCCCS is hosting community meetings across the state to provide the public with information about some of the upcoming changes for Arizona’s Medicaid program. These sessions will also provide the opportunity for AHCCCS to hear from stakeholders, including members and their families, advocates and providers. Space is limited so RSVP is required. Information about these meetings can be found at the link below.

Public Meetings

•Stay Connected

If you would like to receive periodic updates about AHCCCS, implementation, future public meetings or other information, please email Forward@azahcccs.gov. You can also add your name to continue to show support for Restoration and it will automatically place you on the email list. To sign your name in support, please visit the web page below:

I Support Medicaid Coverage



AHCCCS Topics of Interest

•Medicaid Coverage

On June 17, 2013, Governor Brewer signed into law her Medicaid Restoration Plan. Adult coverage will begin January 1, 2014 and applications accepted and processed beginning October 1, 2013. Applicants are encouraged to use the Health-e-Arizona Plus online application to apply. The link below provides background information about how this plan was developed and how it will be funded.

Medicaid Coverage

Hospital Assessment

Moving Forward Presentation

•KidsCare Coverage

Enrollment for Arizona’s CHIP program, known as KidsCare, will remain frozen in 2014 and authority for the KidsCare II program ends December 31, 2013. However, families with income up to 400% FPL may receive premium subsidies for commercial coverage on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace. More information is located on the link below.

KidsCare Coverage

•Health-e-Arizona Plus

AHCCCS and DES are leveraging the current Health-e-Arizona system to comply with new requirements for Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. Health-e-Arizona Plus will be available 10/1/13. Click on the link below for more information.

Modernizing Medicaid IT Systems

•Federally Facilitated Marketplace

On November 18, 2012, Governor Brewer announced that Arizona will participate in a Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM). More information on the Governor’s decision can be found below. A link to the Marketplace Subsidy Calculator is also included, which helps estimate premiums and subsidies for people purchasing insurance through the Marketplace. More information on the FFM can be found at www.healthcare.gov.

Marketplace Decision Letter- 11/28/12

Marketplace Subsidy Calculator

Cover AZ

•Essential Health Benefits

Governor Brewer selected the State Employee Benefit- United Healthcare EPO with pediatric, dental and vision coverage supplemented by the FED-VIP as the baseline Essential Health Benefits package for Arizona. The Essential Health Benefits package mandates the minimum services for all commercial policies in Arizona. More information can be found on the links below:

Essential Health Benefits

Governor Brewer Letter 9/28/12

Although Arizona is no longer accepting public comments regarding the Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan, a link to the Essential Health Benefits Report can be found below. Comments were originally submitted electronically to: HIX@az.gov.

Benchmark Plan Report

•Federal Interface

CMS has released information regarding the ACA’s provisions and can be found on the links below. Further discussion with CMS will continue and the information posted as soon as it becomes available. More information can be found at www.CMS.gov.

Comments on Proposed Rules

Final Rules

State Plan Amendments