Blog - Iowa Medicaid COVID-19 Updates
Information below provided by Iowa Department of Human Services
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the President’s issuance of an emergency declaration for all states, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has taken action to ensure Medicaid members have continued access to services.
Member co-pays, premiums, and contributions waived
Effective March 13, 2020, DHS is waiving all co-pays, premiums, and contributions for Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP), Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD), Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki), and Dental Wellness Plan (DWP) members until the emergency declaration is lifted.
Members of these medical assistance programs will not receive billing statements during the emergency declaration and services will continue uninterrupted.
Billing statements from DHS received by members with March, April, May, or June due dates are waived. Members who already paid their co-pay, premium or contribution for a waived month will receive a credit on their account when billing resumes. Hawki members who have automatic reoccurring payments setup, will receive a credit balance on their account when billing resumes.
Additionally, DHS has put a pause on all dis-enrollments for medical assistance programs until the emergency declaration is lifted. Members who are past due on their payment will not be dis-enrolled during this time.
Covered services available
The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) has published Informational Letter 2115-MC-FFS-CVD that addresses the covered services available and provides guidance for claims billing regarding coronavirus and COVID-19.
Additionally, the IME seeks authority to allow telehealth services to be provided, regardless of the recipient’s location, for all Medicaid-covered benefits if provision of the service via telehealth is clinically feasible and appropriate. As part of this announcement, members will now be able to access their service providers using a wider range of communication tools including telephones that have audio and video capabilities, making it easier for members and providers to connect.
Frequently asked questions
The following are the answers to frequently asked questions regarding Medicaid and COVID-19:
- Is the COVID-19 test a covered Medicaid/Hawki benefit? / How much does the COVID-19 test cost? IA Health Link, Fee-for-Service and Hawki members do not have to pay anything for the COVID-19 test.
- Do I have to get prior authorization for a COVID-19 test? No, prior authorization is not required for COVID-19 testing.
- Are there limits to care or services I can get during a pandemic? No.
DHS submitting federal waivers to ensure continued access to medical assistance
DHS is exploring all opportunities for flexibility to provide public assistance. Medical Assistance will continue for current recipients. DHS will be submitting §1115, §1915(c) and §1135 waivers to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure continuous coverage for recipients of Medical Assistance in Iowa and to ensure providers are able to provide much needed services during this emergency. More information can be found on the DHS website.
Additional COVID-19 DHS resources
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