AWSS in Commonwealth Care 8-12-09 UPDATE

AWSS in Commonwealth Care 8-12-09 UPDATE

* On August 11 the MassHealth agency generated termination notices for up to 31,000 legal immigrants ending their Commonwealth Care coverage on 8/31/09. The notices are now available though the Virtual Gateway for My Account Page users, but won't be arriving in the mail until the next day or two. A redacted copy of the on-line form of the termination notice is attached.

* We understand a letter from Sec. Bigby was mailed to affected AWSS on Aug 11 explaining the termination, describing a few other options for care, and promising to provide more information when more is known.

*On Aug 7 the Governor signed the supplemental budget terminating the AWSS from Commonwealth Care but giving the Administration $40 million to come up with some sort of temporary replacement coverage to supplement the Health Safety Net (free care) for the AWSS losing Comm. Care. (The Gov. had asked for $70M for this purpose).  No word yet on how the Administration proposes to use the money or to notify affected immigrants.

What's next for advocates:

1. Check for misclassified AWSS ("aliens with special status") who are really "qualified."   Qualified immigrants remain eligible for Commonwealth Care (or MassHealth) on the same terms as citizens. Attached is a 2-page check list for spotting qualified immigrants; a longer tip sheet is on the masslegalservices website:http://www.masslegalservices.org/node/26977 
2. Please let us know if the MECs are not informed or helpful in upgrading status for misclassified AWSS. This has been a problem in the past, the agency says they have addressed it, and we want to keep on top of it.
3. Also assist clients who are pregnant or disabled to at least get Healthy Start & MH Essential.
4. The termination notice is appealable, but Commonwealth Care has not in the past provided aid pending appeal.  If you can't resolve an erroneous termination with the MEC, file an appeal but please also let us know.
5. Please use the story form to tell us more about how this cut is affecting your clients & patients http://www.masslegalservices.org/node/26977
6. Check out the National Immigration Law Center website for how to weigh in at the federal level to give legal immigrants equal access to health care under national health reform proposals. http://nilc.org/immspbs/health/health038.htm

We will keep you posted as we learn more.  Please let us know about your clients & patients affected by this cut.

Vicky (ext 318) & Neil (ext 309)