Family Voices Indiana

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule pertaining to Medicaid   home and community-based services (HCBS).  The rule enhances the quality of HCBS and provides additional protections to individuals that participate in Medicaid HCBS programs.  In addition, this rule ensures that individuals receiving services and supports through Medicaid’s HCBS programs have full access to the benefits of community living and are able to receive services in the most integrated setting.  Overview The final rule addresses several sections of Medicaid law under which states may use federal Medicaid funds to pay for home and community-based services (HCBS). The rule supports enhanced quality in HCBS programs, adds protections for individuals receiving services.  In addition, this rule reflects CMS’ intent to ensure that individuals receiving services and supports through Medicaid’s HCBS programs have full access to the benefits of community living and are able

By Emily McKinley, Health Information Specialist The stroke of  midnight  rang in more than the New Year. This year, it also rang in the final individual consumer provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Consumers will now benefit from many long-anticipated and debated provisions, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and the elimination of yearly limits on coverage. Consumers who are shopping for insurance on the Marketplace may also qualify for premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies, depending upon income. Further, out-of-pocket limits are now capped at $6,350 for an individual and $12,700 for families who use covered services. As we move forward, it is important for consumers to be aware that open enrollment on the Marketplace ends  March 31 . During open enrollment, consumers may purchase new coverage and may change plans. After  March 31 , consumers must experience a qualifying event, such as the loss of employer-sponsored coverage, certain changes in inc

Family Voices Indiana shares this information from the Catalyst Center regarding children with Medicaid trying to enroll in the ACA marketplace. We realize that many families have already explored the marketplace at this point in time, but we were just given this document today. Individuals with what is called Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) are not eligible for subsidized coverage in the marketplaces. The final IRS regulations define Medicaid coverage for disabled children through TEFRA, Home and Community-Based service waivers (also known as 1915 (c) waivers), and the Family Opportunity Act’s Medicaid buy-in option as MEC.  What are these programs? TEFRA (the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982) created a pathway to Medicaid eligibility for children with complex health issues who require an institutional level of care AND whose household income is too high to be categorically eligible for Medicaid. TEFRA is an optional pathway to Medicaid that is not available

Family Voices Indiana shares this opportunity to positively impact future nurse practitioners and social workers: Seeking 27 families who are willing to be interviewed by Graduate Students about their experiences raising a child with special health care needs or disabilities. Interviews will take place during the Spring Semester of 2014 at mutually agreed upon times.  Families will receive a $50.00 stipend for their participation. Please RSVP by January 10, 2014. 12 parents for class of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Looking for families whose child(ren) are under age 10 and are medically complicated Interviews can happen in person or via phone 15 parents for class of MSW Social Work Students: Looking for all kinds of disabilities of any age Preference for in person interviews in Central IN, but could be via phone Interested families should send the following to  ryrodger@iu.edu Adult Name Child Name Child Age Child Diagnosis Phone number to r