Next Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Set: November 15, 2014 - February 15, 2015

HIRSP Breaking News:

The Feds announced this afternoon that about 21,000 individuals enrolled in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, which was set to expire March 31, now have until April 15 to enroll in new coverage that starts May 1. In Wisconsin, this impacts HIRSP Federal Plan enrollees. The administration said it wanted to avoid any possible lapse in coverage for these patients, which includes many people receiving treatment for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. This marks the third extension of the Affordable Care Act’s high–risk pool program, which was originally set to close at the end of 2013.

BadgerCare Plus Breaking News:

It was reported by the AP, Wisconsin's Department of Health Services is reporting that anyone losing BadgerCare Plus or HIRSP has until March 31 to sign up for Marketplace coverage to be eligible for April 1 coverage with no gap. (The Marketplace generally requires folks to enroll by March 15 for April 1 coverage.) DHS spokesperson Claire Smith is quoted as saying that as long as someone losing BadgerCare Plus or HIRSP enrolls and pays a premium by March 31, they will be eligible for coverage beginning April 1. We are waiting on confirmation from the Department on this news, and on how it is being communicated to members.

Video Case Tip: Exemptions in the Marketplace - Affordability

What if you simply can't afford the insurance you see in the Marketplace? In this Video Case Tip, ABC for Health's Brynne McBride looks at the Affordability Exemption requirements to see who may be able to prevent a penalty from being assessed. Keep some of the links and resources handy when working with Wisconsin families!

Click Here or on the picture to the right to watch our Video Case Tip webcast!

After watching our short informational webcast, send us your feedback or questions! What problems are you seeing in your area? Send your questions or comments in an email, and we'll create a follow-up webcast filled with the answers.

All our videos are archived in our growing "Video Case Tip Library" so you can visit them at any time.

Share Your BadgerCare, Medicaid, or Marketplace Story!

Are you one of the more than 90,000 parents who will lose BadgerCare Plus coverage in 2014?
Are you under 100% FPL and moving to BadgerCare--but not til April 1??
Are you a mother or father just making ends meet who's concerned about the new changes to BadgerCare coverage?
Are you not sure WHERE TO GO for help?

Tell us your health care and coverage story! As the open enrollment period in the new Marketplace comes to a close, the health care landscape in Wisconsin is changing. If you or a loved one will be changing insurance, losing BadgerCare Plus or going to the Marketplace to purchase insurance for the first time, we’d like to hear your story! There are many ways to contact us:

• Call: 608-261-6939 ext 229
  
• Email: info@safetyweb.org
  
• Go Online and complete a story form
  
• Go Online and complete an online intake form

Headlines: Featured Links in this Week's Update

Implementing Health Reform: The 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace Blueprints and More ACA News, Health Affairs Blog, March 14, 2014

HHS will let sickest patients stay on their health plans longer, Washington Post, March 14, 2014

Bill introduced to promote coverage for Immigrant Women and Families, PRWeb, March 14, 2014

 

Health disparities are a focus for states, federal government, Stateline, March 14, 2014

Opponents criticized Scott Fitzgerald's bid to block cancer drug bill, Journal Sentinel, March 14, 2014

Obamacare's Year of Delayed Deadlines, Businessweek.com, March 13, 2014

Implementing the Affordable Care Act: State Action to Establish SHOP Marketplaces, The Commonwealth Fund, March 14, 2014

Where Each City's Uninsured Live, The Atlantic, March 14, 2014

Health Mandate Won't Be Delayed, Sebelius Says, NY Times, March 13, 2014

Help HealthWatch Wisconsin & ABC for Health with a Tax-Deductible Contribution!

Support ABC for Health as we pursue our mission of helping people in Wisconsin secure access to health care and coverage. Our staff works tirelessly with the thousands of families and individuals who contact our office each year. To continue, we do need your help and support. A tax-deductible financial contribution will support direct legal, advocacy, and education services to families in Wisconsin.

Copyright © 2014 ABC for Health, Inc. All rights reserved. No reprint without permission. HealthWatch Wisconsin is a project of ABC for Health, Inc. Update Staff: Bobby Peterson, Executive Director

Medical Update

This winter has been rough on many fronts. I have been experiencing intestinal issues that I don't like, such as incredible waves of nausea and intestinal rumblings. I had a CT scan a few weeks ago and there are two tumors that have increased slightly in size and I know exactly which ones they are, the one on the top left that sometimes gets jammed up under my ribcage and the other is on my lower left side, otherwise, everything flows properly in between. The first time, one of the things I noticed was a gradual weight lose and then the tumors started to grow again, it's happened again, this is something I'll mention to my doctor. It might have something to due with the fact that at some point during the evolution of this disease you can't eat much, I nibble during the day instead of eating three meals.
I hope to hold surgery at bay until fall or winter if possible. In the meantime I'm getting everything ready so my children will be able to manage the household while I'm in the hospital. While I'm not looking forward to the inevitable, I do look forward to getting the hernia fixed and having the tumors removed, to be honest I have been lugging them around for 4 1/2 years and it will be a relief to have them gone!