[Nesabes] FW: ALERT: US citizens termination on hold from Mass health

[Bower, Carol]

I am forwarding this information.  I apologize if you receive
duplicates, but this is too important to miss receiving.

Carol 

-----Original Message-----
From: D'Errico, Anne 
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:14 AM
To: All GLCAC
Subject: FW: ALERT: US citizens termination on hold from Mass health
Importance: High

Initially I sent this only to my Head Start Staff but realized this
could effect many of our agencies employees or
clients. For your infomation: See attached.

Anne D'Errico
GL Head Start Director

-----Original Message-----
From: D'Errico, Anne 
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:12 AM
To: Head Start EXT SMT
Subject: FW: ALERT: US citizens termination on hold from Mass health
Importance: High


Please read the attached document and understand the details - for our
families as well as many of you. 
I briefly scanned the document and my assessment is:
The new law states that if you are in-process or have obtained Mass
Health or (SSI/Medicaid) and have not completed
all of your required documentation to prove citizenship and Identity
verifications you could be terminated from 
the above services. The Govenor has given an extra 60 days to fully
complete and submit your documentation otherwise termination of services
will occur.

Anne

-----Original Message-----
From: Ronna Schaffer [mailto:rschaffer at ahsinc.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 12:38 PM
To: Yvonne Achilles; Dolan, Vincent; Val Luther; Tom Killmurray (ACF);
susan Prevner; Sharon Scott Chandler; Sandy Waddell; Preston Stevens;
Phil folkes; Pat Foley; Nicole Blaise; Neil Lynch; Maureen Clare; Maura
Pearce; Martha Childs; Marilyn LePage; Marie Yannaco; Marie Galvin; Mal
Hughes; Linda Jackson; Leslie Kusmilek; La-motte Hyman; Kit Tunney;
Kathleen Eastman; Karen Suprenant; Judy Previer; Joyce Rowell; Joanne
Stone Libon; Jim Houlares; Jennifer Sylvia; Jeniffer Sinhart; Janis
Santos; H Skinner; eloise Stevens; Donna Cabral; Deb Milne; Deb Linett;
Deb Hubbard; Cindy viator; christina Espinola; Chantale Louisma; Catie
Kosteck; Carolyn Boehne; Caroline Haines; Candy Delgado; Betty-Ann Lee;
Anne Leister; D'Errico, Anne; anita Moeller; Nancy Topping Tailby
Subject: FW: ALERT: US citizens termination on hold from Mass health


FYI - in case you weren't aware of this!

Subject: FW: ALERT: US citizens termination on hold from Mass health

 
This just in......SEE BELOW

But still be on Alert. Families and indiviuals who must meet the
requirement need to get their Documentation of Citizenship and Identity
Verifications to MassHealth if they have not already done so.

This just in from John McDonough at HCFA.  The Patrick Administration
has agreed to postpone cuts for US Citizens from Medicaid for 60 days,
while problems with the exiting system are further worked out.

Advocates and proividers should continue to assist clients in getting
the reqired verifications of citizenship and identitty, but this
extension should help prevent many needless terminations.  Thanks to
Health Care For All for their great work!
>>> Neil Cronin 1/18/2007 11:27:42 AM >>>



ALERT: Be on lookout for US citizens terminated from MassHealth for
lack of documentation starting this week!

This week the Office of Medicaid has started sending out the first
closing notices to US citizens who have been unable to document their
citizenship and identity. Over 4000 otherwise eligible individuals will
be getting termination notices over the next few weeks for not
submitting documents to prove citizenship and identity. Thousands more
will be closed each week and many new applications will be denied so
long as the current policy remains in effect.

Individuals who receive a termination notice can avoid losing
MassHealth by doing one of the following things before the closing date
on their notices:
**submit proof of citizenship and identity to the MassHealth Enrollment
Center e.g. copy of birth certificate and driver's license;
**if more time or help is needed to obtain documents, APPEAL to
MassHealth Board of Hearings

Individuals whose time is running out to submit documents but have not
yet been closed, can also call the MassHealth Enrollment Center to
request an additional 60 days to obtain documentation.

A recent (12/20/06) change in federal law exempts U.S. citizens on
Social Security Disability Insurance (in addition to the prior exemption
of those on SSI or Medicare) from the citizenship documentation
requirement. As far as we know, the Office of Medicaid has not yet
implemented the SSDI exemption. If you see an SSDI recipient denied for
lack of citizenship documentation please let us know right away!

Federal law also requires the Office of Medicaid to affirmatively
assist individuals with a physical or mental incapacity that prevents
them from gathering the necessary documents on their own. Please call us
about US citizens with disabilities who are losing benefits because they
required help and didn't get it.

Individuals denied or closed for failure to submit documents required
for MassHealth will also be denied Free Care! The reason for the Free
Care denial will be that applicants must be screened for MassHealth
eligibility and the Office of Medicaid cannot complete the process
without all required documents. 

Remember nothing has changed for non-citizens. Non-citizens must
document an eligible immigration status for any kind of MassHealth other
than emergency coverage (MassHealth Limited).

On citizenship documentation issues, please call: Vicky Pulos,
vpulos at mlri.org, or Rochelle Hahn, rhahn at mlri.org, 617-357-0700 Ext.
318 or 342, Mass. Law Reform Institute. Please do not refer individual
clients or patients to us. Refer clients or patients to the legal aid
referral line (617-603-1700; 800-342-5297) or to Health Care for All's
Help Line (617-350-7279; 800-272-4232)


Neil Cronin, Policy Analyst/Advocate
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
99 Chauncy Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 357-0700 ext. 309  (617)357-0777 (Fax)
ncronin at mlri.org 



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