AR Works – Medicaid Saves Lives

Arkansas Session 2019

Published on February 8, 2019February 8, 2019 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

The AR Legislative session has been going on a few weeks. They will be making important decisions that affect us. Here are some resources to help you stay up-to-date no matter where you live.

See the bills that have been filed:

The boxes are check for 2019. Just click Submit to see the latest list.

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/SearchCenter/Pages/historicalbil.aspx

See today’s calendar to decide which committees you want to watch.

Public Health, Welfare, & Labor are committees for both Senate and House that discuss bills that affect Medicaid. Each meeting has an agenda, so you can see if the bill you care about is on the list for today.

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2019/2019R/Pages/Home.aspx

Watch what’s going on right now:

(Business hours)

http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00316/Harmony/en/View/UpcomingEvents/20190208/-1

Watch previous sessions and committees:

Bills travel to different committees, to the House, and Senate before they hit the Governor’s desk. You might want to go back to see how your legislators voted or if they discussed your concerns in the meetings.

http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00316/Harmony/en/View/RecentEnded/20190208/-1

AR Works – 18K Lose Coverage

Published on January 19, 2019January 19, 2019 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

The news isn’t good for Arkansas Works. Reports are showing that over 18,000 people have lost coverage so far.

Check out the whole story.

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

Published on September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

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

Published on September 5, 2018 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

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

Published on August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

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

Facebook | Twitter

AR Works Changes

Published on June 26, 2018 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

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!

Your Rights When You Appeal

Published on May 18, 2018 by medicaidsaveslives2 Comments

We appeared live on Facebook with Managing Attorney Thomas Nichols from Disability Rights Arkansas to answer your questions and discuss your rights when appealing a Medicaid decision. Watch because this video is full of helpful information from beginning to end!

Thomas refers to a presentation with more information on appeals that you might want to view.

When filing an appeal, you have resources in the state to help you. Even if you can’t afford it, you can find quality lawyers or law advice. Make sure to contact:

Also, we reference Rights that we listed in a previous post. Make sure to read it.

Latest DHS Notice: AR Works Changes

Published on April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

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

Published on April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

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

AR Works Changes – How Legislators Voted

Published on May 4, 2017May 25, 2017 by medicaidsaveslivesLeave a comment

SB3 | Act 6 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS WORKS TO REDUCE INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITS AND IMPOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS; TO ALLOW THE FLEXIBILITY TO SELECT WHETHER TO BECOME AN “ASSESSMENT STATE” OR A “DETERMINATION STATE”; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.