Medicaid News
IMPORTANT MEDICAID NEWS
AUGUST 2008 - Updates coming soon!
1)Do you get your health care through MEDICAID?
2)If so, are you enrolled in the MEDIPASS Program?
IF YOU ANSWERED "YES" TO BOTH OF THOSE QUESTIONS,
YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS!
Each year, you get a notice from Medicaid of an "open enrollment
period." After October 1, 2008, when you get your open enrollment
notice, you will need to contact Medicaid if you want to stay in
MediPass. If you don't contact them, Medicaid will automatically switch
you out of MediPass and into a health plan (HMO).
What will happen if you're switched to an HMO?
MediPass is a program run by the State. HMOs are run by insurance
companies. If you are switched from MediPass to an HMO, you may not be
able to see your doctors, and coverage for some of your medications may
be denied or delayed. HMOs can also limit the services you get, even if
your doctor wants you to get them.
What should you do?
Watch your mail for a notice from Medicaid telling you about your open
enrollment period and this change. If you want to stay in MediPass, you
must contact Medicaid Options (the State's Medicaid enrollment broker)
at 1-888-367-6554. Be sure to act right away once you receive your open
enrollment notice. Your open enrollment period is only 30 days long.
NOTE: We don't know yet how Medicaid will notify you of
this change, but as information becomes available, it will be posted
on-line at: www.floridachain.org/medipass.htm
Can you qet back into Medipass if you qet switched to an HMO?
Maybe, but Medicaid has not said how it will handle this yet either. If
you find out that you were switched to an HMO but wanted to stay in
Medipass, call Medicaid Options right away. Ask if you can be switched
back to Medipass.
Who can you contact to ask questions?
Call Medicaid Options at 1-888-367-6554 on Mon-Fri from 8 AM - 7 PM.
(TDD users only, call 1-800-653-9803.)
This change applies only to Medicaid consumers in the following
counties: Brevard, Gadsden, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough,
Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Miami-Dade,
Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole,
Volusia, & Wakulla.
This information sheet was created by Florida CHAIN (Community Health
Action Information Network), a statewide consumer advocacy organization
dedicated to improving the health of all Floridians by promoting
sustainable access to affordable, effective health care.
See Florida Medicaid news
for additional information
