ACA Impact on Eligibility Work

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. Increased federal expenditure authority is provided to cover DSHS administrative costs that will shift from Medicaid to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and the Refugee Cash Assistance program. This includes an increase in federal expenditure authority because DSHS will earn additional Medicaid funds with the expansion of Healthplanfinder access to public assistance eligibility staff.