What is changing? How can you keep up? This tool should help you with both.
Category: Medicaid Expansion
AR Works – 18K Lose Coverage
The news isn’t good for Arkansas Works. Reports are showing that over 18,000 people have lost coverage so far.
People have to work or report some exemption as a reason that they can’t work, like if they have a disability or a kid at home. If they don’t report 80 hours of work a month, for 3 months in a year, they get kicked off.
What do you think about this? Let us know!
If you have lost coverage, you can contact Legal Aid of Arkansas for help! Call 870-732-6370 ext 2206.
ARWorks: Healthcare Options If You’ve Lost Your Coverage
The 2 graphics below are of a letter that is going out to ARWorks beneficiaries who had their coverage closed last week. It contains options for them going forward.
Also, DHS posted many of their notices and letters that have gone out here: https://ardhs.sharepointsite.net/ARWorks/Notice_Samples/Forms/AllItems.aspx
AR Works: Urgent News
Today (September 5) is the day!
If you’re on ARWorks and have not reported your work, school, or some exemptions for the past 3 months, you will lose your coverage after today.
DHS says they have sent multiple notices, yet still we’re hearing news reports that thousands will lose their coverage because they haven’t responded. Unfortunately, these people will not be allowed to reapply until January 2019.
If you are one of these people, you need to report TODAY. If you know someone who is affected, you need to share this with them!
Find out a great update and tips from Legal Aid!
Here are some resources from DHS all in one place to help you know what to do:
Call your insurance provider if you don’t have internet regularly enough to report!
Plus here are some videos to help you know how to get an account and report your activities.
Watch DHS’ Facebook Live where they answered questions we sent in.
Call for help at 1-855-372-1084!
Make sure to pass this info on to anyone who might not realize they are going to lose their coverage after September 5, 2018. This only applies to certain people on ARWorks, so log in and make sure you’re safe.
AR Works: Update from Legal Aid
Legal Aid of Arkansas sent the following update and wants everyone to know this important information.
We’re writing to let you know the latest information on the work requirements in the Arkansas Works program. With the work requirements now in effect, Legal Aid is available to help beneficiaries understand how to comply and how to assert their legal rights. Anyone affected is welcome to call our special Medicaid line–(800) 967-9224 and press 4.
Lawsuit: Because of the widespread loss of coverage these work requirements are likely to cause for our clients, Legal Aid of Arkansas has filed a federal lawsuit in Washington DC. While that lawsuit is moving along, we want to make sure people have all the information they need to give them the best chance of keeping their coverage.
Letters of Non-Compliance: Many beneficiaries will have already received notices for non-compliance for the month of July. The notices will have a date of August 6 on them. For some people, this is their second month of non-compliance, and they will be terminated as of September 1 if they do not report compliance in August. For others, this is just the first month of non-compliance, but that means their care is threatened for future months. DHS reported that 72% of people who had to go online in June did not do so. That’s about 7,400 people, and we expect similar numbers for July, which are set to come out later this week.
Resources for People Affected: Anyone who receives notices of non-compliance is welcome to call Legal Aid for information about the program and their legal rights. We have a special Medicaid line–just call (800) 967-9224 and press 4. If someone doesn’t answer right away, we’ll get back with them within a few business hours. You (or they) are also welcome to call me at x. 2206 or Trevor Hawkins at x. 6313.
Here are other ways you can spread the word about the changes:
(1) Share the Facebook video. This explains the latest on the lawsuit and how to comply with the work requirements: https://www.facebook.com/arlegalaid/videos/2110260212381560/
(2) Share the flyer
and this (Front/back) handout.
(3) Invite us to talk to your group, community, staff, or clients. We can accommodate any form of participation (in-person, video, phone), various languages, and any time limitations.
Contact:
Kevin De Liban, Attorney
Economic Justice Practice Group Leader
Legal Aid of Arkansas–West Memphis
310 Mid-Continent Plaza, Suite 420
West Memphis, AR 72301
Phone: (870) 732-6370 x. 2206
Fax: (870) 732-6373
ARWorks: How to Take Action
The deadline to comply with work requirements for June was July 5. DHS sent out notices of non-compliance to thousands of people that should have already reached clients. If you have not reported your hours, you need to do so as soon as possible because you can only miss a couple more months before you lose coverage. Even if you don’t utilize AR Works, please SHARE this information!
Some people don’t even realize that they are affected. They don’t recognize the name AR Works, or their address has changed preventing these letters from DHS from giving this much-needed information. If you need more information about AR Works (what it is, its history, how to apply), read this article.
If you are unsure if you are affected or how to proceed if you are, keep reading. We have information below that will help!
Anyone who receives those notices or just wants information is welcome to call Legal Aid of Arkansas at (800) 967-9224. They have special Arkansas Works lines–callers can just press 4 at the initial message, dial extension 6313 for Trevor, or extension 2206 for Kevin.
Check this letter to find out if you’re affected or what to do:
Here are ways you can spread the word about the changes:
(1) Check out DHS’ website about how to report your work hours, school attendance, volunteer hours, or your exemption.
(1) Share Legal Aid’s Facebook video. This explains the latest and has a link to earlier videos: https://www.facebook.com/arlegalaid/videos/1755020114575199/
(2) Share the attached flyer (ar-works-flyer-latest.pdf) and handout (arkansas-works-information-for-consumers-latest-05-10-18.pdf).
(3) Invite Legal Aid to talk to your group, community, staff, or clients. They can accommodate any form of participation (in-person, video, phone), various languages, and any time limitations.
If you want assistance from Legal Aid, here is contact info:
Kevin De Liban, Attorney
Economic Justice Practice Group Leader
Legal Aid of Arkansas–West Memphis
310 Mid-Continent Plaza, Suite 420
West Memphis, AR 72301
Phone: (870) 732-6370 x. 2206
Fax: (870) 732-6373
AR Works Changes
Don’t miss the important changes happening to AR Works! If you’re confused about it, many great resources exist to help you understand. When in doubt, ask. You don’t want to lost coverage!
Latest DHS Notice: AR Works Changes
This notice was released by DHS today!
From April 2-8, individuals who receive their health care benefits through Arkansas Works and are 30-49 years old will be receiving letters in the mail that contain a reference number to link their online accounts to the Access Arkansas Work Requirement website.
The website, which launched over the weekend, is where beneficiaires will report work, job training, education and other activities if they are subject to the work requirement. It also is how they will report and update activities that could qualify them for an exemption. Individuals can begin linking their accounts and reporting exemptions now.
DHS is phasing in the work requirement starting June 1. People who are subject to the requirement as of June 1, and must begin reporting work activities, will be notifiedt in May.
To assist beneficiaries in creating these online accounts, and to let them know where to find their reference numbers, DHS produced the video below (also found at https://youtu.be/pkfct7Px3MQ). The video also has been posted to the Arkansas DHS Facebook page (@ArkDHS). Feel free to share this video and update your audience regarding the information in that message.
We encourage all beneficiaries to create and link an online account to the website before they are required to start reporting work activities.
A sample of the notice that beneficiaries will be receiving over the next week can be found here: https://bit.ly/2JaXfrs. Please contact Marci Manley at marci.manley@dhs.arkansas.gov if you have questions or need additional information.
Work Requirement News: Exemptions by Age
News from the Kaiser Family Foundation
“In 8 of the 10 states w/ approved or pending waivers as of March, #Medicaid #workrequirements would apply to all or most older nonelderly adults. #AR & #WI would exempt those age 50+. #AZ would exempt 55 and older and #IN & #UT would exempt 60 and older.”
kaiserf.am/2GITTxz
Medicaid Saves Lives 