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DEFINITIONS needed from above:

The “MSP” program (Medicare Savings Program) are Medicaid-run programs that help cover Medicare Part B premiums and other cost-sharing expenses for people with low income.

The “LIS” program (Low Income Subsidy; also called Extra Help) helps people with Medicare pay for prescription drugs, and lowers the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage.  

“DUAL” eligible program is defined as those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

HOW TO APPLY FOR HELP:

YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE MSP PROGRAM WITH YOUR LOCAL MEDICAID OFFICE (which will included the LIS/EXTRA HELP program)

YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE LIS/EXTRA HELP PROGRAM WITH YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE

ALSO, the DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES is available for help and enrollment.

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In the meantime, if you missed the first newsletter in May here is a quick recap - CONTINUED:

At the start of the pandemic, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which included a provision that Medicaid programs keep people continuously enrolled through the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), in exchange for enhanced federal funding.

The FFCRA provision requires states to provide continuous coverage for Medicaid enrollees in order to receive enhanced federal funding. By preventing states from disenrolling people from coverage, the continuous enrollment provision has helped to preserve coverage during the pandemic. It also increased state spending for Medicaid.

Issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that lay out rules states must follow during the Unwinding Period, also called the Redetermination Period for Medicaid benefits.

Efforts are in place to conduct outreach, education and provide enrollment assistance can help ensure that those who remain eligible for Medicaid are able to retain coverage and those who are no longer eligible can transition to other sources of coverage.

But, as states resume disenrollments following the end of the continuous enrollment provision, millions of people could lose coverage and that could reverse recent gains in coverage. States can resume disenrollments beginning in April 2023 but must meet certain requirements to be eligible for enhanced federal funding during the unwinding. This Redetermination Period or Unwinding could last up to 12 months.

Eligible Medicaid individuals are at risk for losing coverage if they do not receive or understand notices or forms requesting additional information to verify eligibility or do not respond to requests within required timeframes.

All states indicated they had taken steps to update enrollee contact information during the past year and nearly three-quarters of states (37) were planning to follow up with enrollees before terminating coverage. As of March 13, 2023, 26 states had posted their renewal redistribution plan, which had to be submitted to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) by February 15, 2023 for most states. 

Contents of this article are taken in-part from the online article: