The Washington State Health Care Authority will send its trainers on the road in late August, offering classes in how to assist applicants for an expansion in Medicaid/Apple Health that will add up to 325,000 new clients next year under the Affordable Care Act.
The schedule includes 21 community-based training events with a capacity for more than 1,500 potential trainees. The one-day trainings will include a working lunch for all attendees.
Date/Location/Capacity
8/26 – Kennewick (60)
9/4 – Olympia (70)
9/19 – Port Angeles (90)
8/27 – Yakima (90)
9/5 – Vancouver (60)
9/20 – Bremerton (60)
8/28 – Spokane (70)
9/6 – Seattle (140)
9/23 – Moses Lake (60)
8/29 – Colville (70)
9/10 – Hoquiam (50)
9/24 – Sunnyside (70)
8/29 – Pullman (70)
9/12 – Everett (100)
9/26 – Spokane (70)
8/30 – Wenatchee (80)
9/16 – Kelso (80)
9/27 – Okanogan (60)
9/3 – Tacoma (120)
9/18 – Bellingham (80)
9/30 – Puyallup (80)
Because the training venues have limited capacity, potential attendees need to register quickly by email. Registration consists of completing a registration form posted on the Medicaid website at www.hca.wa.gov and emailing it to medicaidexpansion2014@hca.wa.gov
This training is intended to prepare health providers, clinics, hospitals or other community-based organizations. The HCA training will focus on the new Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) policies that will apply to Washington Apple Health Family, Children, Pregnancy and the New Adult Group programs.
The classes are not intended for helpers who are participating in Health Benefit Exchange In-person Assister/Navigator certification trainings. Those classes are operated by the exchange’s local lead organizations around the state or in statewide Tribal Partner trainings.
The HCA training will include how the new Washington Healthplanfinder web portal operates as well as the new adult eligibility standards. Under the ACA, adults qualify for Medicaid if their income is below 138 percent of the federal poverty level – or about $27,000 for a family of three. (Children qualify for Medicaid and other medical assistance programs at much higher incomes, up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.)
Trainees who complete the full one-day HCA course, pass a Washington State Patrol background check and sign a Confidentiality Statement will receive a personal Healthplanfinder log in ID. This enhanced access will allow community partners to help applicants’ track their process through final approval.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BACKGROUND:
The Medicaid Expansion 2014 website: www.hca.wa.gov/hcr/me
The Health Benefits Exchange website: www.WAHBExchange.org
Community-based training schedule, registration form www.hca.wa.gov