Pennsylvania Releases Detailed Medicaid Expansion Timeline

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Human Services (DHS) today released an updated timeline detailing the commonwealth's plan for traditional Medicaid expansion.

"Our priority is to ensure the transition goes smoothly and Pennsylvanians have access to health care," said Governor Wolf. "By expanding Medicaid through HealthChoices PA, the program will better serve consumers and save money."

DHS will implement the two remaining phases of the plan by September 30:

Phase 1

• This phase will begin in April 2015 and be completed by June 1, 2015.
• Individuals who were enrolled in the General Assistance and Select Plan program in December 2014 will begin to be transferred from the private coverage option (PCO) to the new streamlined Adult benefit package.
• New applicants will no longer be enrolled in the PCO and will be enrolled in the new Adult benefit package with coverage provided by the HealthChoices managed care organizations.

Phase 2

• This phase will begin in July 2015 and be completed by September 30, 2015.
• All remaining PCO enrollees will transition from PCO plans into the HealthChoices by September 1, 2015.

"Governor Wolf's plan will provide hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians with access to health care coverage," said DHS Acting Secretary Ted Dallas. "The change to a traditional Medicaid expansion will make it easier for eligible families to get access to health care by streamlining the current system."

The Department or managed care organization will notify individuals by mail prior to the transition to the Adult benefit package. At no time will anyone experience gaps in coverage.

For more information visit www.HealthChoicesPA.com.

Media contact: Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

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