CKF NEWS & VIEWS
Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Newsletter   
February 16, 2023
POLICY UPDATE
Legislative Session Moves Toward Halftime
Legislation impacting the health and well-being of Hoosiers, including investments in health coverage, behavioral health and public health continues to be front-and-center at the Indiana Statehouse. The first half of session will wrap up near the end of February, giving bills that have not moved out of committee a limited window to move to the House or Senate floor.

Senate Bill 1 - Behavioral Health Matters - Provides that the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) will apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services or to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program. The legislation also requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to establish and maintain a help line to provide confidential emotional support and referrals to certain resources to individuals who call the help line and that is accessible by calling a toll free telephone number.

This bill has cleared 3rd reading in the Senate, meaning it will now move on for further consideration in the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 4 - Public Health Commission - Delineates core public health services and their delivery as recommended by the Governor's Public Health Commission, while also increasing state level support for these local efforts.

This bill was vetted for fiscal impact in the Senate Appropriations Committee and has now moved on for consideration by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 376 Lawfully Residing Immigrants and Eligibility - Provides Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and children under 21 who are lawfully residing immigrants and meet all other Medicaid eligibility requirements. This provision also provides eligibility for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for lawfully residing individuals who are less than 19 years of age. Under current law, eligibility is limited to those who have lawfully resided in the United States for at least 5 years, with the above groups eligible for emergency only (Package E) Medicaid.

This bill passed out of the Senate Family and Children Services Committee on Monday, February 6 and now needs a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee by next week to keep moving through the legislative process. Those interested in this legislation may contact Mark Fairchild, Director of Policy & Communication, at mfairchild@ckfindiana.org.

House Bill 1091 - Continuous eligibility under Medicaid and CHIP - Changes the requirements for submitting eligibility information for Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees less than 19 to no more than once annually.

This bill has cleared 3rd reading in the House of Representatives. It will now move on for further consideration in the Senate.

House Bill 1205 - Medicaid reimbursement for school services - Requires the Family and Social Services Administration to apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment before September 1, 2023, to allow school corporations to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for specified services, which is an attempt to finalize legislative efforts to do so. The legislation also adds a school psychologist as a qualified provider for purposes of the Medicaid program and provides that a school psychologist does not need supervision or authorization from another qualified provider in order to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for certain services provided to a Medicaid recipient.

This bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Public Health Committee.
OUTREACH & ENROLLMENT
Special Enrollment Periods
The Medicaid unwinding starts in April and will last a full year. During this time, 500,000 Hoosiers could potentially become uninsured. Many of them will no longer be eligible for Medicaid and will need other coverage. Losing Medicaid is a life change that can qualify consumers for a special enrollment period (SEP) with other insurance.

Employer SEP
Employers with more than 50 full-time employees (or the equivalent in part-time employees) must provide health insurance that meets minimum requirements for coverage and affordability or pay a penalty to the IRS. They must also provide a special enrollment period if an employee or dependent loses Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage.

Marketplace SEP
With a Marketplace SEP, consumers typically have 60 days before and 60 days after losing coverage to enroll in a Marketplace plan.

In special circumstances, such as an unexpected hospitalization or domestic abuse case, they may be allowed more time. Additionally, since 2020, consumers impacted by COVID-19 may have additional flexibilities qualifying for an SEP. The Marketplace Call Center (1-800-318-2596) can determine if an SEP extension is possible.

People with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level who are eligible for premium tax credits (PTC) have a continuous enrollment opportunity for Marketplace coverage. This not only allows uninsured people to enroll anytime but also allows them to switch plans during the year. This SEP is only available through 2025 unless Congress takes further action.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a special Unwinding SEP. Consumers who lose their Medicaid or CHIP any time between 3/31/23 and 7/31/24 can apply up to 60 days before the last day of coverage OR any time up until 7/31/24. If consumers receive notice they are no longer eligible for Medicaid/CHIP, they can update or submit a Marketplace application to avoid potential gaps in coverage. They will not need to submit documentation. Consumers must select a plan within 60 days of submitting a new application or updating an existing one. Coverage will start the 1st day of the month following plan selection. 
News from the Indiana School Health Network
ISHN Conference Exhibitor Opportunity

We invite you to join us for the 15th annual Indiana School Health Network Conference as a sponsor.  As a conference sponsor, your organization can raise awareness of your services while connecting to and networking with conference attendees.  

Deadline to Register as an Exhibitor is May 1, 2023
USDA Announces Nutrition Initiatives
At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conversation on Healthy School Meals Roundtable, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced major initiatives at the agency that will support and enhance the health of America's children through nutritious school meals:

  • Proposing gradual updates to science-based nutrition standards in school meals
  • Recognizing school districts that have gone above and beyond in nutritional quality
  • Assisting small and rural school districts in improving the nutritional quality of school meals
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TRAININGS & RESOURCES
Communicating Changes to Medicaid
Ways You Can Help Hoosiers Stay Insured: A Toolkit
 
This toolkit is a collaborative effort of many organizations who serve Hoosiers with Medicaid. We hope you will join our collective effort to ensure Hoosiers either keep their Medicaid or find other health insurance coverage as Medicaid “unwinds” and returns to normal operations beginning in the Spring.

The toolkit is for community organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, health centers and other medical providers. With one in three Hoosiers currently enrolled in a Medicaid program, an “all hands on deck” approach is the best way to avoid a dramatic decrease in the number of Hoosiers with health insurance. We need YOU to help communicate the messages in this toolkit to your community by:

  • Sharing information in your newsletters, social media, websites, etc.
  • Hanging posters from the State and from Navigator organizations
  • Telling everyone the three key messages (more details in the toolkit):

  1. Make sure the State has your correct contact information
  2. Open your mail from the State and your Managed Care Organization
  3. Seek help from an Indiana Certified Navigator

  • Educating staff and volunteers so they can make referrals to Navigators
  • Checking back for new editions and other updates to the toolkit; the Medicaid unwinding is a yearlong event
  • Sending questions, suggestions, or additional resources to dhiggins@ckfindiana.org
 
The toolkit will be housed on the websites for Covering Kids & Families of Indiana, Hoosier Action and the Indiana Primary Care Association.
SEP Reference Chart
Beyond the Basics continues to offer excellent resources to help navigators understand Marketplace coverage and special enrollment periods (SEPs), such as their updated SEP reference chart.
Webinar: Unwinding the Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement
This webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 @ 2:00pm will discuss the unwinding and how assisters can help consumers transition to the Marketplace.
Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding:
What to Know and How to Prepare, A Partner Education Monthly Series
This monthly webinar series will provide stakeholders with information to prepare for the Medicaid and CHIP continuous enrollment unwinding and will take place on February 22, March 22, April 26, May 24, June 28 @ 12:00pm
Online & On-Demand Navigator Pre-Certification & Continuing Education Courses
Covering Kids & Families of Indiana invites you to view our online and on-demand Navigator Pre-Certification & Continuing Education Courses. Each course is approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance. The Pre-Certification Course is for those hoping to become a certified Indiana Navigator, and the Continuing Education Course is for current Indiana Navigators. There is no charge for these courses.
Enrollment Trends

Total Membership increased again in December. With 2,162,152 members, there were 16,323, or 0.76%, more members in December 2022 than in November 2022.
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