This afternoon, the Connector held a hearing on the emergency Commonwealth Care eligibility regulations approved by the Connector Board at their June 23rd meeting. The changes discontinue auto-enrollment and auto-reenrollment in Commonwealth Care (see our previous blog for details).
Melissa Boudreault, Director of Commonwealth Care and Jamie Katz, the Health Connector’s General Counsel, heard testimony from Neil Cronin (MLRI) and Kate Bicego (HCFA), who represented the ACT!! Coalition. Neil Cronin addressed the lag time between the time a consumer signs up for CommCare to the time that the coverage becomes effective, causing gaps in coverage. He emphasized the financial burden these changes may cause to patients and providers. Kate Bicego brought attention to the over 1,000 clients the HelpLine hears from weekly, hundreds of whom are trying to navigate CommCare’s enrollment and redetermination processes. She cited the overwhelming process that our most vulnerable community members face to enroll in and maintain coverage. Kate and Neil acknowledged that regulation changes are the result of the current fiscal situation. Both emphasized the need to reinstate auto-enrollment as soon as possible. Please click here (pdf) to read ACT!!’s written testimony.
Dozens of members of the Boston Workers Benefit Council – part of the Eastern Service Workers Association – also attended the hearing and testified on various topics related to health reform.
Written comments are due to the Connector by this Friday, August 7th at 4pm. Click here for information on how to submit testimony.
-Shikha Jerath
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