HUSKY
Calls for HUSKY parents notice to include help for uninsured
Today’s CT New Junkie highlights the lack of information to 17,688 working parents scheduled to lose HUSKY coverage July 31st. Based on prior experience, it is expected that some will qualify for Medicaid in other categories, a smaller number will purchase coverage from AccessHealthCT, but many will lose coverage altogether. Notices from the state to…
Read MoreMedicaid update – HUSKY parents cut implementation, wait times improve
Friday’s Medicaid Council meeting focused on DSS and AccessHealthCT’s plans to alert 17,688 working parents that their HUSKY benefits will end August 1st. The cut was passed in last year’s state budget and 1,215 parents lost coverage last year, but the large majority qualified for another year of HUSKY under federal law. In good news,…
Read MoreGovernor offers third budget proposal — Still cuts another 8,700 working parents’ HUSKY coverage
In the ongoing tense budget negotiations, yesterday the administration offered yet another budget proposal in response to the legislature’s latest version. However the Governor and legislature are still reportedly over $100 million apart. The new proposal retains the Governor’s plan to cut 8,700 more HUSKY parents from coverage. In a classic case of misdirection, that…
Read MoreLegislative Dems newest budget rejects most of Governor’s newest cuts
In the latest budget proposal for the next two years, Democrats in legislative leadership have rejected many of the Governor’s most recent cuts. The newest legislative proposal rejects the Governor’s plan to cut another 8,700 working parents off HUSKY. Because of cuts passed last year, 17, 688 working parents will lose coverage as of July…
Read MoreConnecticut’s Medicaid redesign update– Pros and Cons
Connecticut’s Medicaid program has earned national recognition for combining improved access to high quality care with an impressive record of cost control. Shifting the program from a financial risk payment model to care coordination through person-centered medical homes (PCMHs) four years ago is widely credited with that success. Last year the administration began developing…
Read MoreDSS publishes a consumer-friendly PCMH description
For last week’s MAPOC Consumer Access Committee meeting, DSS developed a clear and simple descriptionof Person Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs). The presentation focuses on what person-centered means – both provider and member responsibilities. Members learn what they can expect from providers, and what is expected of them. “Care is organized around you” balanced with “Support…
Read MoreWall Street Journal article celebrates CT Medicaid success after move away from private insurers
On page 3 this weekend, the Wall Street Journal highlighted CT Medicaid’s success controlling costs and improving care by bucking the usual trend. Four years ago CT moved away from private insurers to run the program ourselves – and that has made all the difference. “’Been there, done that and it didn’t work,” says Robert…
Read MoreGood news on CCIP – SIM’s plan for Medicaid
As recommended by independent advocates and others at from the Care Management Committee, DSS and SIM have agreed to make SIM’s Community and Clinical Integration Program (CCIP) optional for Medicaid provider networks, at least for the first year. Advocates and others on the committee were concerned that the plan was too prescriptive, very expensive, and…
Read MoreAdvocates’ concerns to preserve PCMHs in Medicaid reform rejected
Last week independent advocates sent a letter to DSS urging them to preserve and support person-centered medical homes (PCMHs) in Medicaid redesign, but unfortunately our concerns were dismissed by the administration. PMCHs are the only reform that has extensive support in the literature as improving both access to quality care and success in controlling costs.…
Read MoreMedicaid creating a committee to assess access to care
Prompted by new federal regulations, at today’s Medicaid Council meeting DSS announced the creation of a Medicaid Medical Care Advisory Committee that will track quality and access to care in the program. The committee will advise on an Access Monitoring Plan, due out July 1st, to ensure that Medicaid members’ access to care is similar…
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