ACA Impact on Eligibility Work/Eligibility Staff

Governor: Clients currently access Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medicaid through the Health Benefit Exchange. Prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), clients accessed medical benefits, in addition to food and cash benefits, through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). As a result, DSHS receives less Medicaid revenue to support its administrative costs. No later than October 1, 2014, medical eligibility staff will have access to Healthplanfinder so that clients have multiple points of entry for MAGI Medicaid. Federal funding is adjusted to reflect this change.
House: Implementation of the Affordable Care Act resulted in the enrollment of new Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) clients. The accelerated enrollment rate has increased eligibility staff workloads. Funding is provided to support timely resolution of eligibility-related client issues.