Provider Notice issued 01/24/2014

AlL KIDS Application Agent Allert

ACA Update

Big changes have come to Illinois as part of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which offers new health coverage options to uninsured Illinoisans beginning January 1, 2014.

As of October 1, 2013, a link to the multi-benefit, web-based application known as Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) is available on the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) website. ABE replaced the All Kids and DHS web applications.

Through ABE, customers and Assisters can apply online for the following programs:

* All Kids * Family Care * MPE * Moms & Babies * AABD * Medicare Savings Program * SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) * TANF or AABD Cash * and the new Former Foster Care and ACA Adult groups described below.

NOTE: Individuals who currently have Medicaid should not reapply.

ABE Registrations

HFS would like to thank you for your patience during the ABE roll out and the ABE registration of All Kids and MPE providers. Most active AKAAs are already helping individuals complete the new multipurpose application. Nevertheless, for providers who have not yet registered in ABE, please consult:

• The ABE Introduction for AKAAs and MPE providers (pdf)

• Additional Guidance (pdf)

Please note that in order to register in ABE, MPE providers and AKAAs must choose one Agency Security Administrator (ASA.) It is the ASA who first registers an agency in the system. Once the ASA is approved by the State Global Security Administrator (GSA), the

ASA should let agency staff members know that they can register. The ASA must approve each individual user for his or her agency. Please follow the detailed instructions on page 11 of the guide for AKAAs and MPE providers.

NOTE: Organizations that are MPE and AKAA providers, as well as Certified Assisters (Navigators,

IPC or CAC) need to register twice: First, AKAA and MPE providers must complete the steps provided in the Introduction for AKAAs and MPE providers. (Please see link above). Second, the organization needs to complete the registration as a community partner. Certified Navigators, IPCs and CACs, should use their 13 digit federal ID# for their agency or individual names when completing their community partner registrations. Please see page 14 of the ABE guide for Community Partners (pdf):

If further assistance is required please e-mail your inquiries to:

abe.questions@Illinois.gov

The HFS website offers several other resources available for individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid. Information is also available for the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Marketplace:

People can also use the Getcovered Illinois website to learn more. There is a recorded webinar, titled “Introduction to ABE (.wmv),” which explains the log-in and application process.

HFS is also offering a resource, which is continually updated, titled “Answers to Frequently

Asked Questions (FAQs)”.

The ABE Call Center

Beginning October 1, 2013, individuals may apply for medical and SNAP benefits over the phone by calling the ABE (Application for Benefits Eligibility) Customer Call Center, at 1-

800-843-6154 and going through the prompts to complete an application over the phone. Applications completed through the ABE Customer Call Center require a

telephonic signature. The ability to obtain a telephonic signature is only available through the ABE Customer Call Center.

The ABE Call Center can assist individuals who wish to:

*Change addresses

* Request medical cards

* Complete an ABE application

* Learn the status of an application

* Request cancelations

* Add a baby

NOTE: To check the status of an application submitted through ABE, you must speak to a caseworker. Do not use the automated “check case status” option. Follow prompts to apply or get general information for Cash, SNAP and Health coverage and have the tracking number available.

The Rebate Plan

All Kids Rebate ended on January 31, 2013, due to the change in state law. A client notice has been sent to rebate families to notify them of the change. Some affected families transferred their children to direct coverage under All Kids. Families who have not already

made the switch from Rebate must reapply if they want direct coverage under All kids.

ACA Adult Group

Effective January 1, 2014, the ACA Adult group covers individuals 19 or older and younger than 64 years of age who are U.S. citizens or meet immigration requirements, who do not qualify for Medicare, and who have household income at or below 138 % of FPL.

Former Foster Care Medical Benefits Effective January 1, 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid covers certain individuals who received foster care services provided by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). These are individuals who lost coverage as a result of aging out of (exiting) foster care at the age of 18 or older. Specifically these are individuals age 19 through 25; received foster care through DCFS until they aged out (exited) at age 18 or older; are an Illinois resident; have a Social Security  number (SSN) or proof of application for a SSN; and meet U.S. citizenship or immigration requirements. There is no income limit and resources (assets) are not considered for this group. Individuals who do not qualify for Former Foster Care medical benefits may still qualify for medical benefits under the new ACA adult group or any other Medicaid group if eligible. Copayments for Behavioral Health Services Effective February 1, 2014, most adults will have co-pays of $3.90 for behavioral health clinical services. Notifications about these changes will be mailed in January only to those individuals affected by this policy.

Provider Participation Unit

AKAAs and MPE providers who wish to report changes regarding their mailing addresses, contact or telephone information should submit a request in writing to the HFS Provider Participation Unit (PPU). This will ensure that important correspondence is received in a

timely manner. The PPU address and telephone number is: Healthcare and Family Services

Provider Participation Unit

607 E. Adams

Springfield, IL 62701

Tel: (217) 782-0538

Fax :( 217) 557-8800

Subscription to the HFS Website AKAAs can receive informational notices about the latest developments regarding the medical programs by registering on the HFS Provider Releases and Bulletines web page and selecting categories of interest.

Additional Assistance

AKAA Liaison for those located North of I-80

Phone: 1-312-793-5270 Fax: 1-312-793-5278

AKAA Liaison for those located South of I-I80

Phone: 1-217-524-7156 Fax: 1-127-557-4274