More information on AWSS Immigrant Health Coverage Transitioning to CeltiCare

The attached notices are being sent from the Executive Office of Health and
Human Services to those AWSS immigrants who lost CommCare coverage effective
August 31st.  The notices explain to members and their authorized assisters that
a new program has been created for them which will begin to enroll members
starting in October and continue until completed in December.

 

For the time being, while AWSS clients are awaiting to be enrolled in
CeltiCare, the Administration has asked that folks who have serious health care
needs which cannot be easily addressed by their use of the Health Safety Net or
MassHealth Limited to call the Connector's client representative line for
assistance.  The state is trying to coordinate problem solving using three
agencies, the Connector, the Health Safety Net, and MassHealth.  However, for
sake of tracking and simplicity, they are asking that AWSS clients use the
Connector call system for interim problem solving. The Health Connector Member
Service Center is 1-877-MA ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) (TTY: 1-877-623-7773 for
people with partial or total hearing loss).  There operating hours are Monday
through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

 

Advocates met with representatives from the Administration and CeltiCare on
Wednesday afternoon and began our discussions on the many transitional issues
that AWSS clients will face as we move toward this new care delivery system. 
There are lots of issues to be sure!  We will try and keep you abreast of
developments as soon as we can.

 

Administration officials have assured us that they do not want people in
serious medical need hurt during this transitional period.  If need be, they
will work around limitations in the existing Health Safety Net and MassHealth
Limited programs to ensure that no one in dire medical need is left in the
lurch.  Vicky and I will want to know about the problems you encounter, and we
hope to be able to help you solve them.  Vicky's extension is 318.  My extension
is 309.

No one involved with this process thinks that the CeltiCare solution for
the AWSS problem is a panacea.  We will be advocating hard to make sure that
both the Administration and CeltiCare honor their commitments to providing truly
meaningful coverage to all of the AWSS population.  We will need your
help.

 

Thank you for your patience and perseverance.

Neil Cronin, Policy Analyst/Advocate
Massachusetts Law Reform
Institute
99 Chauncy Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
617-357-0700
ext.309

ncronin@mlri.org