Title
Receive a report on Health care Reform Enrollment and Eligibility from the Department of Social Services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a report on Health Care Reform Enrollment and Eligibility from the Department of Social Services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
New health insurance benefits through Covered California and expanded Medi-Cal eligibility become available on January 1st 2014. The enrollment period for these new health insurance products begins on October 1st. This report will provide an overview of health insurance available through expanded Medi-Cal and through Covered California - California's Health Exchange Marketplace. It will also provide an overview of how the eligibility systems will function as the Department of Social Services work with the State's Covered California Call Centers.
As the Department of Social Services prepares to begin taking applications for Covered California products, a number of operational issues and challenges remain. These include: finalization of decisions for deployment of the State's new computer system for determining eligibility for Covered California (CalHEERS - California Healthcare eligibility, Enrollment and Retention System); delays in development of the interface between CalHEERS and the existing computer system that determines eligibility for Medi-Cal and for other benefits, such as CalFresh and CalWORKs; and even delays in issuance of the new streamlined application for premium assistance and Medi-Cal.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Social Services is partnering with the Health Department and Natividad Medical Center in its efforts to implement eligibility for new health insurance products available under health reform.
FINANCING:
The Report is informational only. There is no impact to the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Elliott Robinson, Director, 4434
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, 4434