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In This Issue:
Jo-Anne Dillman, NP, nursing program manager at Brookside Community Health Center, speaks with a patient during an office visit.
As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) becomes fully implemented across the country and at home, BWH patients and families may have questions about their health insurance coverage and options.
Patients who have insurance through their employer are not affected, unless they would like to browse health plans on the new health insurance exchange-the Health Connector (MAhealthconnector.org)-to see if there are less expensive options for them.
Medicare patients are also not affected, and many patients on MassHealth are not affected. The exceptions are Network Health MassHealth patients, who will need to switch plans in order to stay in BWH's care; and MassHealth Essential and Basic patients, who will be automatically shifted to a new MassHealth program, called CarePlus, on Jan. 1.
Beginning Jan. 2014, Commonwealth Care will no longer exist, and Commonwealth Care members will be eligible for MassHealth CarePlus or for a new program on the Connector called ConnectorCare. Their eligibility depends on income and immigration status.
Additionally, some Health Safety Net patients will have an opportunity to upgrade their coverage and will be notified by the state if this is an option for them.
Please direct patients who have questions or concerns about their coverage to BWH's Patient Financial Services, where financial counselors can assist them in understanding their options, choosing the right insurance plan and applying for state-subsidized coverage. Patient Financial Services is located at 45 Francis St., ASB2, second floor, and patients can walk in and be seen without a scheduled appointment. Patients can also call the service at 617-732-7005 (local) or 866-736-1510.
It is important that patients watch their mail for notices from the state or Partners HealthCare. Some patients will need to take action, according to the notification, to remain insured and continue to receive their care at BWH.
If you would like to learn more about the ACA and how it impacts your patients, you can request a presentation or an update for your staff by contacting Edith Kenneally, director of Patient Financial Services, at ekenneally@partners.org, or Kim Simonian, of Partners Community Health, at ksimonian@partners.org.
Please note: Employees who have questions about their personal coverage should contact Human Resources, not Patient Financial Services. Additional information can be found in your mailed open enrollment package.