June 29, 2011
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dsh
Showing posts with label Medicaid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medicaid. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Medicaid Vision Coverage
STATE OF WASHINGTON
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
626 8th Avenue, S.E. • P.O. Box 45502 • Olympia, Washington 98504-5502
June 29, 2011
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dshs.wa.gov/contact/default.aspx. Your message will be delivered to the appropriate staff member
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
626 8th Avenue, S.E. • P.O. Box 45502 • Olympia, Washington 98504-5502
June 29, 2011
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dshs.wa.gov/contact/default.aspx. Your message will be delivered to the appropriate staff member
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
candlelight vigil on the Capitol Campus
You are invited to a candlelight vigil on the Capitol Campus to let the Governor know that the proposed cuts (below) are devastating! Be a part of a group to ask her to delay the cuts until the legislature has a chance to decide.
Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time: 4 - 6pm
Where: The side of the Legislative Building that faces the library/sundial.
Dress warm! Candles will be provided!
DDD & Medicaid Services Make Drastic Cuts!
The Governor recently announced that all agencies (except those protected by state or federal law) must make “across-the-board” budget cuts. These cuts will be extremely dangerous to people with developmental disabilities, costing the state more in the long run as people fill up emergency rooms or are forced to seek the only entitlement, an institutional placement, the only options left available. It will create safety issues and may even cause death.
Some of these cuts have already been implemented, some take effect January 1, 2011, others cannot be implemented without legislative approval when the state legislature is back in session on January 10, 2011. The cuts listed below have been sent to the Governor’s office by DSHS/Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Medicaid Purchasing Administration.
These cuts are happening because our state did not receive the amount of revenue they thought they would be collected. The Governor is required by the state constitution to have a balanced budget. These cuts are being made to make up for revenue not received.
Medicaid prescription drugs – Funding is eliminated for all outpatient pharmacy prescription drugs for adults. Only medications administered in a physician’s office or outpatient hospital settings will be covered. This takes effect March 1, 2011.
Medicaid Personal Care – Client receives personal care from a provider based on their assessment from the Division of Developmental Disabilities, allowing them to remain in their home. Cuts will be based on acuity (how high the need is). 6 to 14 hours per month will be cut from all clients beginning June 1, 2011.
Children’s Intensive In-home Behavior Supports – Provides in-home professional help for children with extremely challenging behavior challenges to avoid placing the child in an institution which would cost the state much more. This program is frozen, no new families will be enrolled. Effective Nov 1, 2010.
Individual and Family Services (IFS) – IFS is used mostly for respite, it is also used for therapies/co-pays and various other services. All families currently on IFS will lose service from Nov 2010 to July 2011.
Dental Services – All adult dental services except emergency services are eliminated. Adults will be able to go to a dentist or the emergency room for pain medication only, dental services will not provided. Effective Jan 1, 2011.
Vision, hearing & podiatry, physical, occupational & speech therapy services are all eliminated for adults. Effective Jan 1, 2011.
Residential Services – Rates to community residential providers will be cut 2%. It will be difficult for providers to attract and retain a stable workforce. Effective Jan 1, 2011.
Employment Services – Rates that counties pay employment providers will be reduced, causing service levels to clients will be reduced. Cuts to employment services means a loss of taxpayer revenue, no return on the State's special education investment and more demand on other support services. Effective Jan 1, 2011.
Transition Services – Clients graduating from high school in 2010 may lose their job that school transition staff helped them get or end up at home with no job, no return on the State's special education investment and more demand on other support services. Funding for 240 state-only clients that have not entered service will be eliminated. Effective October 2010.
Eliminate Case Managers (No Paid Services) – Clients with no services won’t have a case manager to provide community resources. Other clients won’t get timely assessments for services as some case manager positions currently open will not be filled. Effective Jan 1, 2011.
Temporary Layoff Days are extended to all DDD employees and two more layoff days are added. Effective Oct 1, 2010.
Residential Habilitation Centers – Reduce/restructure training programs & some services, close cottages, some staff layoffs. Effective Jan 1, 2011.
Diana Stadden
The Arc of Washington State
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Cell (Call-Text-Email): 253.576.6351
Fax: 360.357.3279 attn: Diana
Email: Diana@arcwa.org
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Good News on the FMAP Extension
Yesterday, the Senate cleared a major procedural hurdle and is expected to vote later this week on a bill that provides $26 billion dollars in aid to states. The bill includes an extension of the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) of $16.1 billion for Medicaid and $10 billion in education funding intended to prevent teacher layoffs. Speaker Pelosi announced that she would be calling House Members back next week from the August recess to vote on the bill. The House of Representatives must pass the exact same bill to send it to the President for his expected signature.
The bill is fully paid for but it reduces the amount of federal support for FMAP from the $24 billion that would have been available under previous versions of the extension. The provision would phase out the enhanced FMAP during the six-month period from January 2011 through June 2011, providing states with a 3.2 percentage point increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 and a 1.2 percentage point increase in the third quarter of FY 2011.
The DPC has actively supported the FMAP extension and the education funding as they are both critically needed to prevent harmful cuts to services and schools. However, we are concerned that it is partially paid for by scaling back future food stamp benefits which serve many people with disabilities.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Ward.
The Arc
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20036
p. 202.534.3700 | f. 202.534.3731
www.thearc.org
The bill is fully paid for but it reduces the amount of federal support for FMAP from the $24 billion that would have been available under previous versions of the extension. The provision would phase out the enhanced FMAP during the six-month period from January 2011 through June 2011, providing states with a 3.2 percentage point increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 and a 1.2 percentage point increase in the third quarter of FY 2011.
The DPC has actively supported the FMAP extension and the education funding as they are both critically needed to prevent harmful cuts to services and schools. However, we are concerned that it is partially paid for by scaling back future food stamp benefits which serve many people with disabilities.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Ward.
The Arc
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20036
p. 202.534.3700 | f. 202.534.3731
www.thearc.org
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Take Action--Medicaid
What Will Happen to Medicaid?
Take Action!
Urge your Senators to support the extension of the FMAP increase
We are all anxious about Medicaid. Most states start their 2011 fiscal years this week and they are desperate for funding to keep their programs running. And Congress has just failed again to pass an extension of the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).
Without swift enactment of a six-month Medicaid FMAP extension, states may be forced to cut BILLIONS from their programs, including home and community based services, supported employment, dental care and even basic health care.
Advocates must make their voices heard to get the FMAP extension passed very soon.
Take Action
Please call your Senators' district offices during the Independence Day recess (July 2-12). The phone numbers and sample talking points are provided when you click on the "Take Action" link and enter your zip code in the "Call Now" box.
What to say:
• May I please speak to the staff person who covers health?
• I am calling to urge Senator _________________ to do everything possible to ensure that a Medicaid FMAP extension is passed.
• People with disabilities depend on Medicaid for their very survival. Without an extension of the Medicaid FMAP increase, we will lose vital services.
For this alert please call; do not email. Offices are keeping track of calls and personal visits.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy.
Take Action!
Urge your Senators to support the extension of the FMAP increase
We are all anxious about Medicaid. Most states start their 2011 fiscal years this week and they are desperate for funding to keep their programs running. And Congress has just failed again to pass an extension of the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).
Without swift enactment of a six-month Medicaid FMAP extension, states may be forced to cut BILLIONS from their programs, including home and community based services, supported employment, dental care and even basic health care.
Advocates must make their voices heard to get the FMAP extension passed very soon.
Take Action
Please call your Senators' district offices during the Independence Day recess (July 2-12). The phone numbers and sample talking points are provided when you click on the "Take Action" link and enter your zip code in the "Call Now" box.
What to say:
• May I please speak to the staff person who covers health?
• I am calling to urge Senator _________________ to do everything possible to ensure that a Medicaid FMAP extension is passed.
• People with disabilities depend on Medicaid for their very survival. Without an extension of the Medicaid FMAP increase, we will lose vital services.
For this alert please call; do not email. Offices are keeping track of calls and personal visits.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy.
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