Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Committee gets update about restructured program
Updated: 6:19 PM EDT Jul 18, 2018
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WEBVTT THAT RULING LEAVES NEARLY HALF A MILLION KENTUCKIANS IN LIMBO REGARDING THEIR VISION AND DENTAL BENEFITS. WLKY’S CARAY GRACE HAS MORE FROM FRANKFORT. CARAY: GOOD AFTERNOON, RICK. CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES MEMBERS SAY NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO SEEKING AN APPEAL THE JUDGE’S RULING. RIGHT NOW, THEY’RE FOCUSED ON RESTRUCTURING THE PROGRAM WITH THE HELP OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND OTHER AGENCIES, SO THAT THEY CAN GET REAPPROVAL. THROUGH THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE MEDICAID BENEFITS, DENTAL AND VISION WOULD COME OUT OF A TYPE OF HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT CALLED MY REWARDS. BUT WITH THE JUDGE’S RULING THAT , ACCOUNT IS NOT EFFECTIVE. SO AS OF NOW THOSE RECIPIENTS , WILL LOSE VISION AND DENTAL BENEFITS IF THE NEW MEDICAID PROGRAM IS NOT APPROVED. >> IT IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT BECAUSE THE CABINET IS REDESIGNING AND REORGANIZING AROUND THIS DECISION, HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE RECTIFIED AS WELL. WE WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. CARAY: ANOTHER TOPIC FROM TODAY’S MEETING WAS CONCERNING HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED WAIVER INCREASES FOR MEDICAID DISABILITY RECIPIENTS. INTERIM COMMISSIONER JILL HUNTER SAID THEY ACCIDENTALLY SENT 19,000 LETTERS TO BENEFICIARIES SAYING THEY OWED MONEY AND THEIR , MONTHLY PAYMENT WAS GOING TO MORE THAN DOUBLE. THEY WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO SEND OUT JUST OVER 4,000 LETTERS. SHE SAYS THEY DID ISSUE AN APOLOGY. HOWEVER THOSE WHO RIGHTFULLY , RECEIVED THE LETTER SAY THERE IS NO WAY THEY CAN AFFORD A HIGHER PAYMENT. >> I WILL HAVE TO DIE. THEY SAY I HAVE TO COME UP WITH THIS MONEY, AND I CAN’T. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN. THEY ARE NOT GIVING ME A WAY TO COME UP WITH THIS MONEY. CARAY: NOW HUNTER SAYS THE , REASON FOR THE MONTHLY INCREASE IS BECAUSE THE STATE HAS BEEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY SOMEONE IN THEIR OFFICE FOUND THE DISCREPANCY. WAIVER RECIPIENTS WERE GIVEN UNTIL AUGUST 1 TO PAY THE INCREASE, BUT THE COMMITTEE IS NOW LOOKING INTO WAYS TO PROLONG THAT AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT O
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Committee gets update about restructured program
Updated: 6:19 PM EDT Jul 18, 2018
Nearly 500,000 Medicaid recipients are waiting to find out if they will receive vision and dental benefits.
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