Good News for BadgerCare Plus Enrollees Terminated last April 1
 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is offering a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to those who lost BadgerCare Plus and have not yet made their way into the Health Reform’s Marketplace. Spread the word!

The new SEP runs: September 4 – November 2

What you need to know

• Coverage start dates are based on when individuals apply. Apply and enroll between the 1st and the 15th of the month, coverage starts on the 1st of the subsequent month.
  
• The SEP is effective through 2014.
  
• Those who lost BC+ on or before April 1 are eligible to apply
  
• To apply, CALL the Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596 (do not go online).
  
• Magic words when calling: I’m from Wisconsin; I lost BadgerCare Plus; I’d like to enroll in a Special Enrollment Period.
  

The announcement came less than a week after Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., wrote a letter to CMS urging them to grant a special enrollment period for the individuals who lost Medicaid coverage. Parents and adults who were effected lost coverage because the State’s decision to change eligibility for the program.

As of April 1, 2014 parents enrolled in BadgerCare Plus and adults enrolled in the Core Plan, who were previously covered up to 200% of the federal poverty level, then had to meet the new standard of 100% FPL. This resulted in nearly 63,000 individuals losing coverage. Of that, 38,000 adults did not make it through the eligibility corn maze and into the Marketplace. The SEP became effective September 4th and runs through November 2nd.

Action Steps to Enroll

To enroll, a consumer must call in the Marketplace Call Center to request the special enrollment period. The consumer will receive coverage a month after submitting their application, and will maintain that coverage through 2014. Consumers may automatically enroll into the same plan for 2015, but consider the opportunity to review emerging new Marketplace plan and price options for the intent of this special enrollment period is to get those who lost BadgerCare Plus covered and minimize the health coverage gap. See more on the new SEP below!

In this issue we update you on ABC for Health's 20th Anniversary, auto enrollment in the Marketplace, the upcoming changes to Express Enrollment, and more! We also get you caught up on Provider Memos, Ops Memos and showcase some great articles from the past two weeks. Of course, we bring you case tips and a news round-up, per usual!