Medicaid MAGI methodology notice

Family Voices has been contacted by members receiving letters in the mail from FSSA related to MAGI methodology for determining eligibility for Medicaid. It is important to note that individuals who have Medicaid under Aged, Blind and Disabled (the kind of Medicaid you have with the waiver and in other instances) are not subject to the new MAGI rules.

Here is additional information from Indiana Medicaid:

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the new law that requires most people to have health insurance. There are also some new health insurance choices as of October 2013.

You may have questions about how the ACA impacts you as a Medicaid member. You may also be looking to Medicaid as a possible way to get the required insurance coverage.

MEDICAID FOR CURRENT MEMBERS

As a current Medicaid member, you will not notice many changes.  You do not have to reapply or provide any additional information simply due to the ACA.  You may notice a change when it is time for you to have your annual redetermination, but these changes will not impact your Medicaid benefits.  You will be notified by mail when it is time for your redetermination.

You may notice that different information is collected at your redetermination.  If you were eligible for coverage before, you will most likely still qualify for coverage.  When you have gone through a redetermination, you may notice a change in the name of your aid category.  This will not impact your Medicaid benefits or the services that you receive.

CHANGES IN ELIGIBILITY

For children, pregnant women, and families who apply for Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act changes the way income is counted in the process of determining eligibility.  These new rules are called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).  The income on which you must pay taxes will be counted in determining if you qualify for Medicaid.   Your resources will no longer be reviewed for Medicaid eligibility. Resources are items like bank accounts, cars, or houses.  Note:  Not all people who apply for Medicaid will have their income counted with MAGI rules. If you are disabled or have Medicare, there will be no changes from today's eligibility rules.

Income such as SSI, child support and veterans benefits are not counted under MAGI.

This is the letter families are receiving:

If you have questions, feel free to contact us. 317 944 8982 info@fvindiana.org

Healthier food choices at Riley

Family Voices Indiana shares the following communication from Riley:

Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health is rolling out new healthy food options beginning early next year.
 
A full service grab-and-go café, Red Wagon Café, is scheduled to open at the Simon Family Tower in early January. The Red Wagon Café will feature hot entrees, specialty sandwiches, made-to-order salads and gourmet soups. Customers will also find items such as cheese, fresh baguettes, fruits and other products to take home or prepare a quick meal to share at the hospital. The café will be open 20 hours a day (closed from 2:30 – 6:30 am).
 
A new restaurant will open in the space currently occupied by McDonald’s at Riley at IU Health. The new eatery will offer fresh menu choices including gourmet wraps and paninis, wholesome sandwiches, salads and a full breakfast menu. It will also offer a nutritious and flavorful menu tailored to children. The new restaurant, which will be announced soon, is schedule to open in the spring of 2014. McDonald’s at Riley at IU Health will close on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
 
In addition, a new coffee shop is coming to the academic health center. Stores are scheduled to open at Fairbanks, Riley at IU Health and IU Health Methodist and University hospitals this winter. More information, including hours, will be announced soon.
 
During these transitions, patients, families and team members can also find pre-packaged sandwiches and salads at the Raggedy Man gift shop at Riley at IU Health. The gift shop is open 9 am – 8 pm, Monday – Friday, and noon – 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday. Food and beverage offerings can also be found at the Riley at IU Health main cafeteria (open daily, 6 am – 2 pm) and at the Patio Café at ROC (open Monday – Friday, 11 am – 2 pm).
 
These changes are prompted in part by Indiana University Health’s participation in the Partnership for a Healthier America Hospital Healthy Food Initiative, which represents 155 hospitals nationwide. As part of this partnership, IU Health has committed to making changes over the next three years that will result in healthier food choices in hospital cafeterias and on patient menus.

ACA update: Out with the Old, In with the New

By Emily McKinley, Health Information Specialist

As the year is coming to its end, the debate centering on the Affordable Care Act is charging full-steam ahead. As with any change, this one is hard, and depending upon each consumer’s seat, the reasons vary widely.

Some consumers are discouraged by the inaccessibility of www.healthcare.gov and are anxiously awaiting an opportunity to submit applications and view their coverage options. Each day Family Voices is receiving reports that the website is running more smoothly, and meanwhile more consumers are accessing the information they need. 

Consumers may also submit an application over the phone by calling 1-800-318-2596, via mail, or in-person. To find an in-person assister, visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov. 

Be sure to be aware of any deadlines if you choose a mail in option.

Some consumers have had previous coverage cancelled and are uncertain about what changes will bring for them. President Obama announced in November that policies that were set to be cancelled because they did not fully conform to the legislation may be continued through 2014 in order to ease transition woes and respond to consumer frustrations regarding the application and implementation process. Some insurers have decided to continue those policies while others have continued on the course of phasing those policies out. Please note, if you stay with a policy that does not conform to the legislation, you will not be afforded the full rights and protections of the ACA.

Other consumers may find it difficult to understand how the changes may benefit them. In this vein, it is important to remember that the consumer rights and protections stipulated by the law will be implemented in full on January 1, 2014, for all applicable plans. In other words, many consumers have not yet had the opportunity to see how the legislation was intended to work for the consumer. Beginning January 1, individuals will no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, preventative care will be covered without costs in addition to premiums, essential health benefits will be covered, lifetime and annual coverage limits will be eliminated, and other protections will be effective. For some consumers, especially those who are not frequent-clinic-goers, it may take months, even years, to fully realize the intended benefits sand protections of the act.

Finally, other consumers feel they are caught in a time crunch. The good news is this: deadlines have been extended. Pre-existing condition plans, such as ICHIA, have been extended to give consumers additional time to transfer to Marketplace plans. Furthermore, for coverage effective January 1, applications may be submitted as late as December 23, and premiums paid as late as December 31. Also, the open enrollment period ends March 31. In other words, if you currently have insurance that will continue into 2014, you have until the end of March to purchase a Marketplace plan, if you choose to participate this year.

In a season of busyness, take a breath, bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. We’ll have plenty of time to work out the kinks next year.

For more information about the Affordable Care Act or for other assistance, please contact Family Voices at 317.944.8982 or info@fvindiana.org. You may also visit our website: www.fvindiana.org. 

Survey for parents of children with autism in Lafayette/Bloomington

Family Voices Indiana shares the following request from IU School of Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics, Children’s Health Services Research:

Survey for Children ages 18 months to 8 years of age who have a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in

Lafayette and surrounding areas, and Bloomington and surrounding areas

Survey for families in Lafayette area:

 https://redcap.uits.iu.edu/surveys/?s=vWQyEk3taG

Survey for families in Bloomington area:

https://redcap.uits.iu.edu/surveys/?s=YahjtBpxVV

If you would prefer a paper copy, please contact Angela Paxton: 317.278.3435 (phone) 317.278.0456 (fax), email: arpaxton@iu.edu

New text messaging service from Family Voices Indiana

You can now sign up to receive weekly updates via text message! This new Family Voices Indiana service provides families and professionals with specific information from Family Voices Indiana programs including notice of upcoming trainings, reminders, short tips and ideas, and newly released Family Voices Indiana resources. Your plan’s text messaging rates will apply.

Simply text "FVIndiana" to  313131  for English

or "FVIndianaEs" to 313131 for Spanish

We'd love your support this Giving Tuesday

Many parents-to-be read What to Expect when You’re Expecting in the months leading up to their baby’s birth. But for some, they receive the unexpected. Their baby is born months too early, or with a cleft palate, or with cerebral palsy. These parents  aren’t sure how they are going to pay the mounting bills; they aren't sure where to turn for help; they feel all alone, like no one understands….

That’s when Family Voices Indiana can help. The family to family health information center is staffed with families who have walked this path; families who have children with similar needs; families who are trained to help other families who need resources and support.

Your tax-deductible donation to Family Voices Indiana can help us reach the approximately 300,000 children with special health care needs in our state. You can make a difference in the life of a family who is embracing the unexpected and is creating the best possible life for their child.

You can learn more about Family Voices Indiana, and make an online donation here.

If you’d prefer, you can mail your donation to

Family Voices Indiana
4060 W 400 S
Lebanon IN 46052

We know many families face financial strain when raising a child with a disability. You can also help by sharing this request with families and friends, especially if we've made a difference for your child, or someone you know. As always, please share our website and contact information (info@fvindiana.org 317 944 8982) with others who might be seeking assistance. Our services are FREE to families.

Family Voices Indiana is proud to be a partner in Giving Tuesday.

Thank you for your support.

Resources for you

Each month, Family Voices Indiana provides the families we serve with a summary of the month’s hottest items. If you missed us on Facebook in November, here is the latest!

November Awareness:

Nov 11: Veteran’s Day. If you are a member of a veteran or military family, you are in good company. We have specialists with military ties to help you navigate the military and veteran health care and school systems.

Nov 14: World Diabetes Day. Creating a plan for how diabetes will be managed at school should be a team effort that includes school staff, families, and health care providers. It is vitally important that the work of this team is documented in written plans. You can find info here: http://bit.ly/1cYiSss.

Nov 17: World Prematurity Day. Read Juniper's story in honor of World Prematurity Day: http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2012/reports/juniper/. 

   

Adoption Month: You can learn more about children waiting for a forever home in Indiana here: www.in.gov/dcs/2737.htm. For national resources, you can look here: https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/.

Diabetes Awareness Month: For more information about living with diabetes, visit:  http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/.

Family Caregivers Month: We hope you took some time to recharge your batteries.

Prematurity Awareness Month: Each year, preterm birth affects nearly 500,000 babies—that's 1 of every 8 infants born in the United States. Preterm birth is the birth of an infant prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. Learn more here: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PrematureBirth/.

Family Voices:

Check out our Family Voices Staff Spotlights! This month’s page featured specialists Marlene Lugo. Visit our website to meet our new specialists.

Facebook fans liked our many inspirational quotes. Be sure to check out our page for a pick-me-up. Also, we encourage you to share our page with friends using the share or invite features!

"Helping our children feel comfortable with people who have disabilities begins with helping our children feel good about their own uniqueness. When we show them that we love them for all of who they are, regardless of what they can and cannot do, they’re more likely to grow up to be adults who accept others just as they are." Find guidance from Mr Rogers here: http://www.fci.org/FRC/par-disability.html.

"Disability is part of my family's daily life and it has been since my oldest daughter was born with a chromosomal abnormality over seven years ago. Usually we go along with our routine, but sometimes I am struck by how little others know about disability and what life is like for us. I have been reminded of this recently and wanted to share five things I wish everyone knew about disability." Read her list here: http://huff.to/1cjynGx.

What happened when one middle school football team went behind their coaches back to call a play? Maybe the best football play of all time. Take a moment to watch the Olivet Middle School football team's incredible story of empathy, respect, and kindness: http://bit.ly/17raiAl.

"I know you see the behaviors, I know you hear the labored words, I know you notice the differences, and I know you are grateful this is not your child. I don’t blame you. I understand. Sometimes it is hard. There was a time I stood where you stand now, from the outside looking in. But I wish you could see what I see. Because my kids are so much more than what your eyes perceive. Our lives are rich and full." Read the article here: www.ellenstumbo.com/special-needs-what-i-see/.

 

Training and Learning Opportunities:

Family Voices works to fulfill our mission of empowering families by providing you with educational opportunities and resources. Check our website frequently for learning resources by visiting: http://www.fvindiana.org/training. This month, we shared the following on Facebook.

Many of us have children with sensory needs. If you've ever looked at specialized equipment catalogs, you know how expensive many of the items that could help meet those needs are. But, we parents are resourceful! This blog article lists several items for creating a sensory environment in your home without breaking the bank. http://thinkingmomsrevolution.com/meeting-sensory-needs-on-a-budget/.

Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. It’s also called a seizure disorder. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy. One in 10 adults will have a seizure sometime during their life. Learn more, including what to do if someone near you is having a seizure, here: https://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/.

Looking for a tool for increasing your advocacy skills? Check out the Advocacy Atlas. Every day individuals advocate on behalf of themselves or others to communicate needs, share experiences, and take steps to get what they want and need. The online Advocacy ATLAS is a toolkit created by Genetic Alliance, Parent to Parent USA, and Family Voices, Inc. (National) that provides individuals with special healthcare needs and their families with tools and strategies to advocate for whatever they may need. Resources are grouped by category on the Advocacy ATLAS landing page. Simply click one of the ten topic areas to get started browsing accessible tools! http://www.geneticalliance.org/advocacy-atlas

Newsworthy:

We've created a FB page for our Latino families who prefer information in Spanish and/or would like to connect with other families. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/VocesDeFamiliaDeIndiana.

Did you know we're on Pinterest, too? Check out our boards at http://pinterest.com/fvindiana/.

Thousands of volunteers are rallied to transform San Francisco into Gotham City to fulfill the wish of a five-year-old leukemia patient who dreams of being #SFBatkid for a day. Read the story here: http://globalnews.ca/news/970136/thousands-rally-to-turn-san-francisco-into-gotham-city-for-young-leukemia-patient/. If you'd like information about wish granting organizations, including Make-A-Wish America, feel free to contact us.

If you are waiting for the Family Supports waiver, don't forget to make sure BDDS has your correct contact information. The list of BDDS offices is here: http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/BDDS.pdf. Please note that the Seymour office has closed.

On November 1, 2013, all SNAP households saw a reduction in their SNAP benefit levels. Benefits for a family of four were cut by $36 a month, and the average benefit level dropped to less than $1.40 per person per meal. Learn where you can go for help here: http://feedingamerica.org/need-help/snap-arra.aspx.