FHIAP Is Not Currently Accepting Applications - Oregon Safenet May be able to help.

BULLETIN: March 27, 2008

4,000 FHIAP members will lose their subsidies on May 31, 2008 as a result of a federal funding reduction. Notices are to be sent to those affected on Monday March 31, 2008.

Who is losing their subsidy

Those with individual market subsidies. (No group subsidies are affected.)

Members whose average monthly income falls below 85 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For a family of one, this is an average monthly income of $725 or less. For a family of two, this is $985 monthly or less. These are the people most likely to qualify for OHP Standard.

FHIAP pays 95 percent of the premium for all these members. However, not everyone in FHIAP with a 95 percent subsidy is being cut from the program. In other words, we have more people at the 95 percent subsidy level than we need to terminate to stay within our budget.

We considered ending subsidies to our highest-income members but this meant they would likely have no insurance after their initial six months with OHP Standard.

What is being done to minimize the impact?

On March 19, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave permission for adults who will lose their subsidies to move to Oregon Health Plan’s (OHP) Standard benefit. So, our members choices are:

Move to OHP Standard on June 1 and remain for six months based on their FHIAP eligibility. Shortly before the six months is up, OHP will mail them an application so they can apply to keep Standard if they meet Standard eligibility requirements.

Keep their private insurance by paying the full premium for adults by themselves. FHIAP will continue to pay subsidies for children, however. This means that our FHIAP members will need to contact their insurance company to straighten out billing arrangements. The best time to do this is after the member pays his/her May FHIAP bill, which is due April 21.

What are the transition plans?

On March 31, we will mail FHIAP members notice that their subsidies will end on May 31. The packet includes a green Family Selections sheet that they need returned. It tells them about your choices.

Our FHIAP Phone Transition Team will be in place by March 31. The team will attempt to contact each household impacted and outline their choices, walk them through the process and answer any questions they may have. The team will be available by phone throughout this process. Reach the team at our regular Oregon toll-free number: 1-888-564-9669.

We will help you. Call us at First Choice Health Insurance and we will help you through the process and attempt to find you acceptable alternative options. 1-888-957-5001 toll-free

FHIAP Approved Individual Market Carriers Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, LifeWise, ODS Health Plans, OMIP, PacifiCare, PacificSource, Regence BlueCross BlueShield.

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