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Hoosier Care Connect to replace Care Select for foster kids

We have been notified that a new Medicaid program will be rolled out to replace Care Select. The new program is called “Hoosier Care Connect,” and is being rolled out for eligible foster children by DCS’s Medicaid Enrollment Unit.

Foster parents will receive a letter outlining these changes (also available here). Some key details are provided below. As always, contact us with any questions you may have.

Highlights of the change

  • Hoosier Care Connect is a new Medicaid program for DCS youth that will replace Care Select
  • As of July 1, 2015, the Care Select program will be going away
  • DCS’s Medicaid Enrollment Unit is responsible for enrolling eligible children on Hoosier Care Connect
  • Initially, only children and youth currently on Care Select that are eligible will be enrolled in Hoosier Care Connect.  DCS is still identifying the best approach for identifying children in out-of-home care that are appropriate for opting in to Hoosier Care Connect.  The immediate focus is on children currently enrolled in Care Select, focusing on those children with multiple needs or special conditions such as asthma or heart problems.

The role of foster parents

  • If the child is enrolled in Hoosier Care Connect, the foster parents will be responsible for assisting in completion of an initial health assessment upon entry into the Hoosier Care Connect program.  This is a questionnaire that may require coordination with the child’s FCM to complete.
  • The Managed Care Entity may also contact foster parents regarding selecting a primary medical provider.

Medicaid Coverage Available to Foster Youth through 26 years old

Did you know: the Affordable Care Act includes Medicaid coverage for youth who “aged out” of foster care, up to age 26?

According to this report:
“Effective January 1, 2014, all states must extend Medicaid coverage to age 26 for all youth who are enrolled in Medicaid and in foster care on their 18th birthday, or enrolled in Medicaid when they aged out of foster care if over age 18.
Youth who aged out in the past several years and are not yet age 26 are covered immediately, and youth currently in foster care are covered when they age out. This provision is intended to ensure these young people can have health insurance without interruption until they are age 26, and parallels the provision currently available to many youth of coverage to age 26 on a parent or guardian’s health plan.”