« The Dual Agenda: October 1, 2014 Issue
State Highlights
California
On September 19, the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office posted the Year 2 award amount for the Ombudsman Technical Assistance Program for the California dual eligible demonstration project, Cal MediConnect. The Health Consumer Alliance, a partnership of consumer assistance programs operated by community-based legal services organizations, is the designated ombudsman for the project.
Colorado
On September 19, the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office posted the Ombudsman Technical Assistance Program award amount for the Colorado dual eligible demonstration project, which launched on September 1. Through this demonstration, Colorado will use a managed fee-for-service model that leverages its existing Accountable Care Collaborative program to coordinate care for the 48,000 Medicare-Medicaid enrollees in the state.
Massachusetts
MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, released the September One Care enrollment report. As of September 1, the total number of enrollees is 17,739. The total number that has opted out is 25,228. While the planned October 2014 passive enrollment has been canceled, MassHealth and CMS will look into the plans’ capacities to accept passive enrollees in 2015.
Michigan
On September 23, team members of the Michigan Voices for Better Health project presented a basic orientation on the state’s dual eligible demonstration project, MI Health Link, at a low-income senior housing co-op in Kalamazoo. The presentation and discussion were on the basics of the program, considerations for joining, picking a health plan or opting out, and the opportunities for consumers to be involved in the implementation process.
Texas
On September 26, the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office posted the readiness review tool for the Texas dual eligible demonstration project. Selected health plans will have to undergo a thorough readiness review process in order to serve Medicare-Medicaid enrollees under the demonstration. Through this demonstration, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has selected five health plans – Amerigroup, Health Spring, Molina, Superior and United – to serve in six counties across the state.