The California Health Benefit Exchange Board voted this week on a
brand name and logo for the Exchange: Covered California.
The brand name and logo will be used for marketing, outreach and
communication. At the next board meeting on November 14, the
final name, logo, tagline and web domain will be released.
The Exchange Board also voted to allow supplemental dental and
vision benefits to be offered both individuals and small
businesses. The board had voted in August to only allow these
supplemental benefits to be offered to small businesses. Now
individuals purchasing insurance through the Exchange will also
have access to these benefits.
State Submits Healthy Families Program Waiver Request to Federal
Government
The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) formally
submitted a request this week to the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) to transition Healthy Families Program
(HFP) children into the state’s Medi-Cal system.
The request for approval from the federal government is one step
in the process of transitioning about 800,000 HFP participants to
Medi-Cal in 2013. The state has asked to amend the current
Section 1115 “California Bridge to Reform Demonstration” waiver,
since enrollees will be transitioned into the state’s Medicaid
program as part of California’s efforts to proactively implement
the Medicaid expansion outlined in the Affordable Care
Act.
The state is also seeking stakeholder input on the waiver
request, and all documents are posted
here. Feedback is due by 3 p.m. on Friday, November 9.
Counties, providers, health plans and other stakeholders continue
to work with DHCS to ensure provider access and a smooth
transition in 2013 for children covered under the HFP.
