Action Alerts and Updates
Change in Co-Pays and Updated List of Providers in Commonwealth Care Bridge Network
11/13/2009
- The $50 co-pay for non-generic drugs in Commonwealth Care Bridge will now be covered for some conditions. To find out which conditions and medications will have the $50 co-pay waived, contact CeltiCare Member Services at (866) 895-1786. Attached also find a list of both Hospitals and Community Health Centers that are in the CeltiCare network of providers for Commonwealth Care Bridge. Click above link to access these excel spreadsheets.
USCIS Releases New Fact Sheet on Public Charge
11/ 2/2009
- Click above link to access a new fact sheet released by USCIS on public charge, including a list of benefits that are NOT subject to a public charge determination. For more information or questions, please contact Toby Guevin at MIRA at 617-350-5480 x216 or tguevin@miracoalition.org.
Story Collection Form for Immigrants Losing Commonwealth Care Coverage
10/29/2009
- In an effort to support full restoration of Commonwealth Care for the “Aliens with Special Status” category under MassHealth, MIRA is in the process of collecting stories about the impact of losing access to Commonwealth Care on those impacted by the cuts. We are asking for your help in collecting these stories through the attached “Story Collection Form”.
The “Story Collection Form” includes three parts: (1) provider/advocate contact information, (2) immigrant/client information, and, finally, (3) the story portion. The information should not take very long to document and the anecdotes you provide will be instrumental to our advocacy efforts.
Once completed, please return these forms to either Thuc-Nhi Nguyen at tnguyen@miracoalition.org, 617-350-5480 x 206, or Toby Guevin at tguevin@miracoalition.org, 617-755-6207 x 216.
Please click above link to find the form.
List of Community Health Center Currently in CeltiCare Network and CeltiCare Materials in Spanish
10/ 2/2009
- We have some updated information on the new CommCare Bridge plan that started rolling out in the Greater Boston area yesterday. Currently, the list of community health centers participating with CeltiCare at this point are: Dorchester House, Geiger-Gibson, Neponset, Codman Square, Whittier Street, South Cove, and Manet.
According to CeltiCare, this list is dynamic as more CHCs reach out to them. CeltiCare is still working on building its networks in Northern, Southern, Central, and Western Massachusetts.
Also, enrollment packets that will be mailed to new CommCare Bridge members will only contain materials in English with a babble sheet. Click above to access CeltiCare's Explanation of Coverage for members.
Contact Information for CeltiCare Health Plan, Including Transition in Care Line
10/ 1/2009
- As the Commonwealth Care Bridge program rolls out today in the Greater Boston area there remain numerous concerns about the new health plan. One of the major concerns is how to deal with patients receiving essential medical services from providers who are not contracted with CeltiCare. Click above link to find the CeltiCare customer service number and a dedicated phone number for those in active treatment to call. CeltiCare plans to look at each care transition case individually to determine whether clients will be able to stay with their current providers to continue treatment.
MassHealth Extends Dental Benefits to Children on Family Assistance
9/23/2009
- Click the above link to view an update via Community Partners on the extension of dental benefits to children under Family Assistance.
New Details Released on "CommCare Bridge" Program to Cover 31,000 Former Commonwealth Care Eligible Immigrants, Part 2
9/21/2009
- Please click above link to access new details on "CommCare Bridge" program, the new health plan to cover 31,000 immigrants who were formerly eligible for full Commonwealth Care benefits.
New documents include:
- New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on CommCare Bridge program
- Finalized list of benefits & co-pays under CommCare Bridge Program
New Details Released on "CommCare Bridge" Program to Cover 31,000 Former Commonwealth Care Eligible Immigrants, Part 1
9/21/2009
- Please click above link to access new details on "CommCare Bridge" program, the new health plan to cover 31,000 immigrants who were formerly eligible for full Commonwealth Care benefits.
New documents include:
- Forthcoming letter from Secretary Bigby explaining new plan to members as they become enrolled
- Schedule date of new plan's rollout by geographical service areas
Flyers on Activating Commonwealth Care and MassHealth Essential Coverage
9/17/2009
- Community Partners has put together two flyers on activating coverage under the Commonwealth Care and Mass Health Essential programs. To view the flyers, please click the link above.
CeltiCare Releases Schedule of Benefits and Co-Pays Under New Health Plan for 31,000 Immigrants
9/ 8/2009
- Please click on above link to access schedule of benefits and co-pays for new health plan through CeltiCare.
Letters Sent to 31,000 Immigrants Impacted by Health Cuts and Their Eligibility Representatives Notifying of Upcoming Coverage Changes
9/ 3/2009
- Letters will go out today notifying the 31,000 former Commonwealth Care members in the "Aliens with Special Status" (AWSS) category of MassHealth of the new changes to their coverage. Please click on the link above to access copies of the letters that will likely reach members and eligibility representatives early next week.
Folks should expect more information on the new CeltiCare plan as they become enrolled, including when certain members are scheduled to become enrolled and the benefit package that will be available. Please check here for updates as well.
Those impacted by the cuts and covered under the new CeltiCare who have questions about their coverage should contact the Connector's Member Service Center at 1-877-623-7773.
Update on New Health Care Plan for 31,000 Immigrants
9/ 2/2009
- The Patrick administration announced its plans on Monday for the $40 million allocated to coverage for 31,000 immigrants under the "Aliens with Special Status" (AWSS) category in MassHealth who lost eligibility for Commonwealth Care as of September 1, 2009.
According to the Patrick Administration, CeltiCare, a new managed care organization (MCO), will provide coverage to all 31,000 immigrants impacted by the cuts, through a health plan with a benefit package similar to Commonwealth Care.
The major differences we know of between Commonwealth Care and the new plan are:
* No vision, dental, hospice or skilled nursing services
* Increased co-pays for some services ($25 for specialty care/$50 for non-generic prescriptions/$250 inpatient services)
* No choice of MCO (All 31,000 will be enrolled in CeltiCare)
To read more and access attachments, click above link.
