+ Health Care Reform & Homeless Populations: What Does the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

+ Health Care Reform & Homeless Populations: What Does the Law Do for You? May 9, 2012 Barbara DiPietro National HCH Council Policy Director Joseph Benson SEARCH Group Volunteer and Community Outreach, Houston, TX Member at Large, National Consumer Advisory Board

+ Goals of Health Reform n Increase access to health care services n Improve health of people and communities n Lower costs to individuals & families n Reduce total spending for U.S. health care n Improve quality of care for everyone Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ The Affordable Care Act (ACA) n Signed into law in March 2010 n Major Components: n Medicaid expansion: public health insurance for the poor n New health insurance rules n Help for higher income people to buy private insurance n Money for new health care jobs n Many other programs to improve care, lower costs and test new ideas Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Current Status of the Law n Biggest changes not until 2014 n Many people confused about law n Lots of mixed messages and misinformation n Obama Administration: Full speed ahead n Congress: Many trying to block and repeal n Courts: Supreme Court hearings in March; decision expected end-June Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Medicaid Expansion: Who Is Eligible? n Currently eligible: children, pregnant women, disabled people, and some parents of children n Newly eligible (starting January 1, 2014): Law expands Medicaid to most poor people. Annual income must be below: n About $15,000/year for singles n About $25,500/year for family of 3 n Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident here for at least 5 years n Your state might have started expanding Medicaid already Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Medicaid Will Serve More People n Note: Your state may not call it “ Medicaid ” or may have smaller program n Medicaid has 60 million people now (1 in 5 people) n Expansion adds 16-20 million new people nationally (depending on outreach and enrollment) n After expansion, about 80 million people will have Medicaid (about 1 in 4 people) n Largest benefit in health reform law for low-income people Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Other Health Care Programs n Medicare: n Doesn ’ t change eligibility n Free preventive services n Law changes things “ behind the scenes ” n Patients should notice few changes n VA: n Doesn ’ t change VA and TRICARE insurance n Some people could be eligible for other programs also n If you have served in the military, make sure you get connected to VA services! Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Signing up for Medicaid will be easier n Law requires fast, simple process n Paper documentation will not be needed n Do not need: paper copy of your paycheck or utility bill, birth certificate, ID or social security card (unless there ’ s a problem) n Will need to know: your full legal name, your social security number, your birth date, and your income Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Using Technology to Make it Easier Eligibility will be just based on your income n Not whether you have children or a disability n Not whether you have a bank account, or the value of your n car, or other “ assets ” you might have The Medicaid system will automatically verify your n income with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Medicaid system will automatically verify your n identity and your citizenship/residency status with Social Security. Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Applying for the new Medicaid n Online applications (but can also do by phone and mail) n Do not need a permanent address and do not need to prove residency in your state. n “ No fixed address ” will be an option n No in-person interviews n Simple renewal process, only need to renew once a year Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Benefits: Covering the Basics n Hospital and emergency room n Prescription drugs Details will be different in every n Doctors visits state n Treatment for mental health and addictions n Lab work and other tests n Dental and vision for children only n Prevention services Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Signing Up for a Doctor/Provider n You will have to choose a doctor/provider n Choose your doctor carefully (don ’ t skip this section or you will be “ auto-assigned ” somewhere!). n This will be your “ health home. ” n Things to consider: n Current provider? Transportation? Hours open? Services needed? n Recommendations: n Ask your case manager for advice n Choose a health center, or Health Care for the Homeless provider Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Those Remaining Uninsured n Law does not provide a “ right to health care ” n Estimate over 20 million left uninsured n Medicaid eligible (but not enrolled): 8-10 million n Undocumented persons: 6-7 million n Individual Mandate: requires most people to get health insurance or face a penalty. n Medicaid counts toward the mandate n Penalty: $95 in 2014, $695 in 2016 — BUT… n Those not filing taxes are exempt from the penalty n If you earn less than ~$10,000 per year (2012) Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Work at State Level n Building a new system n Making sure it all works together n Deciding details of benefits n Finding new providers n Changing the culture of “ Medicaid ” Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Unresolved Questions n How will Supreme Court decisions determine future of all these changes? n How will states find and enroll everyone eligible for Medicaid? n How will states decide the specifics of benefits covered through Medicaid? n How much will co-pays cost for patients? Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Action Steps: What to do NOW n Spread the word: Tell friends and family about Medicaid expansion—make sure they know to sign up in 2014 n Start planning: Talk to your doctor/provider/case manager n Ask about tests, surgery or other care you need n Tell your story: Decisions being made now n Public meetings n Letter/email campaigns n Advocacy groups Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Action Steps: What to do NOW n Types of decisions you can help with: n How the system can work best for you n Types of services needed n Care for remaining uninsured n Doing outreach to find people n Help enrolling for those who need it Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ You Don ’ t Have to Do it Alone! n Many organizations can help you: n Local Consumer Advisory Boards (CABs) (check with your local clinic) n National Consumer Advisory Board (ncab@nhchc.org) n Staff and other consumers from your local clinic (ask your case manager) n Other community groups (poverty, homelessness, health, faith, etc. organizations) n Groups with real life experience are very powerful and can support each other Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ More Information n The National Health Care for the Homeless Council is an organization trying to improve the health of homeless people and to prevent & end homelessness: www.nhchc.org n Join us! Free individual memberships n Health reform information: www.healthcare.gov n Health Reform Fact Sheet available online n National Consumer Advisory Board (NCAB): ncab@nhchc.org Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Ultimate Goals n Greater access to Medicaid = people getting health care services n More health care services = better health n Better health = preventing and ending homelessness Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights

+ Group Discussion Where You Are n How can you help get the word out in your community? n Do you have a story to tell that might help make the new system work better? n How can consumers of homeless services in your community participate in decisionmaking? Health Care & Housing Are Human Rights