Connecticut
Medicaid Managed Care Council
Legislative Office Building Room 3000, Hartford CT 06106
(860) 240-0321     Info Line (860) 240-8329     FAX (860) 240-8307
www.cga.state.ct.us/ph/medicaid
 

December 2003                                 HUSKY Program Update

ü      State Plan Amendments to fulfill 2003 legislative mandates: 

o       The State plan amendment for the Medicaid non-exempt adult co-pays (> pharmacy to $1.50 and added outpatient co–pays of $2.00 effective 11/1/03) has been published in the CT Law Journal and has been sent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Boston Regional Office for approval.  The Boston office approved the amendment and has forwarded it to Baltimore for final approval.

o       Client notices for the HUSKY B premium increases, effective 2/1/03, were sent out Nov. 25, 2003.  A formal amendment change to the State CHIP plan has not yet been submitted to CMS. 

o       An amendment is planned to clarify non-emergency medical transportation related to Medicaid covered services versus medically necessary services.

o       The amendment for Medicaid premiums for “medically needy” recipients, effective 4/1/04, and the HIFA waiver are draft documents in progress.

The DSS plans to add State Amendments, Waiver amendments or new waivers to their web site for public information.  (See Council web site link to DSS site under HUSKY A & B; “general information).

ü      Adult HUSKY A coverage: approximately 18,000 parent/caregivers will remain covered in  HUSKY A to January 2004, or longer, pending the 2^nd Court of Appeals decision.

ü      HUSKY Managed care organization (MCO) contracts have been extended through September 30, 2004.  New Federal and state mandates were included in the contract extension.  The capitation  rate to the four MCOs was increased by 4%, retroactive to October 1, 2003.

ü      The ‘carve-out’ date for Medicaid dental services has been moved to October 1, 2004.  The selection process of the Administrative Service Organization (ASO) dental contractor is expected  to begin in February 2004.

ü      The DSS expects to carve-out behavioral health services in HUSKY A & B in October 2004; however this decision is subject to the Administration’s final approval.  Legislative/executive branch meetings were held in October & December to review the BH Partnership plans.  Future meetings will be held in January 2004.

The HUSKY A carve-out of dental and BH services will require an amendment to the HUSKY A 1915(b) waiver, which is subject to review/approval by the legislative Committees of Cognizance. Both service carve-outs (dental & BH) would include the Medicaid Fee-for-service (FFS) clients as well as HUSKY A & B clients.