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Dear Avisery Members,
Earlier this year, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) transferred 53,000 people to AABD Medicaid in preparation for the Unwinding Period. Of those individuals transferred, 24,000 were found to be eligible for the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) and will be passive enrolled in three cohorts in June, July, and August.
BACKGROUND
In preparation of Medicaid redetermination resuming, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) transitioned roughly 53,000 individuals from Affordable Care Act (ACA) Adult Medicaid to Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) Medicaid. Individuals were put in AABD Medicaid because they either turned 65 or enrolled in Medicare during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The transition happened on February 24, 2023.
Out of the individuals put in AABD Medicaid approximately 24,000 were determined to be eligible for the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI). MMAI is a voluntary managed care program that coordinates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for dually eligible individuals. For more information about MMAI, click here. HFS has stated that they will passively (automatically) enroll those determined to be eligible for MMAI in three cohorts in June, July, and August. Individuals will receive (or did received) passive enrollment notice on the first of their cohort month.
OPTIONS FOR CLIENTS
Clients who receive the passive enrollment notices will have three options: 1) to be enrolled in the plan that is assigned to them; 2) enroll in another MMAI plan; or 3) opt out (disenroll) from MMAI. Once the notice is received clients have 60 days to take any action before they will be enrolled in the plan listed on the notice. To choose any of these options, beneficiaries must contact Client Enrollment Services at 1-977-912-880 (TTY:1-866-565-8576).
If the client wants to choose a different MMAI plan, the effective date of their new plan will depend on when the individual contacts Client Enrollment Services to enroll in the new plan. Enrollment requests made by the 15th of each month will take effect the first of the following month. Enrollments submitted after the 15th of the month will be effective two months following the enrollment month. Individuals can use enrollhfs.illinois.gov to compare plans.
If the client decides to opt out, they will continue to receive their Medicare benefits as they currently are, and their Medicaid benefits will be through Fee for Service (FFS) Medicaid. To opt out, the client will have to contact Client Enrollment Services.
Please note, that if the client is passively enrolled into a MMAI plan, they can switch plans or opt out at any time.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at avisery@ageoptions.org
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