LA HAP Bulletin for 10/12/17
LA HAP Open Enrollment Webinars Next Week
All case managers and other assisters who work with LA HAP clients should participate in our Open Enrollment 2018 Webinar, which will be offered on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Please see login details here. You can submit any questions or proposed topics ahead of time to us at info@lahap.org. We look forward to having you!
Medicare Open Enrollment begins Sunday
Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans runs from October 15th- December 7th. Even if your clients do not opt to make any changes to their coverage, please note that premiums for Medicare plans will change in 2018 and clients must inform HIP of these changes in order to continue services. Be advised that some Medicare Part B premiums are expected to rise in 2018 as well. Please submit updated premium invoices and coupon booklets to HIP as soon as they are available.
Early Recertification Packets for December-Expiring Clients
In preparation for Open Enrollment, we want to allow clients with a Core Eligibility End Date (CEED) near the end of the year ample time to recertify. LA HAP is sending recertification packets for December CEEDs at the same time as for November CEEDs this year to help ensure that these clients will be LA HAP-eligible when 2018 plan payments are due. Clients with both a November and December CEED should receive their packets next week.
Using CareCredit for Health and Dental Benefits
HIP has recently been forwarded bills from CareCredit, a healthcare financing card company which reimburses providers for medical or dental services and then bills the client, often at
high interest rates. As CareCredit is not itself a healthcare provider and as this bill is not accompanied by an Explanation of Benefits, bills of this type are not reimbursable by HIP. HIP clients may need to be advised of the limitations of healthcare financing credit cards, particularly at dental providers where they are more likely to be widely used.
If you know of any providers serving LA HAP clients who make it a practice to enroll their patients into CareCredit or a similar program, please let Alicia know.