HEALTH SAFETY NET TRUST FUND: NEW INFO & RESOURCES

Details of Massachusetts’ Health Safety Net (HSN) program were detailed in last month’s newsletter (see http://healthcare.partners.org/ss/ssframebottom/staffresources/news/2007/09-07_HealthSafetyNet.htm).

One important note was omitted in previous article: battered and abused individuals may apply based on their own income (MIRA Bulletin, September 13, 2007).

References and Handouts

1. Commonwealth Choice fact-sheets from the Connector are available in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Haitian Creole and Portuguese at this site: http://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector/menuitem.fefd6886b932e8535734db47e6468a0c/#care

2. The Partners Intranet site has excellent reference materials from the Connector gathered in one place, and Partners-specific handouts. Go to the Partners Intranet home page http://pulse.partners.org/common/index.asp , and click on the "How To" tab at the top, you'll come to a page with many different topics of interest (you may want to take a minute to look around). Click on "Learn More about Mass Health Care Reform Law". Specifically, here is a link to the Partners’ handout for patients about the individual mandate and HSN: “HEALTH CARE REFORM: Important Messages for Free Care Patients” http://pulse.partners.org/howto/documents/important%20messages%20free%20care.pdf

3. Encouraging patients to enroll in Commonwealth Care: patients who are eligible for Commonwealth Care and don't enroll will no longer be able to access the Health Safety Net. If patients are reluctant to enroll in Commonwealth Care because they think the premiums are unaffordable, then they may be eligible for a premium hardship waiver. The patient should call the Connector to discuss the situation and request a hardship waiver application form. The form to request a waiver is on page 15 of the document at this link: http://www.mass.gov/Qhic/docs/admin_bulletin.pdf

Partners intranet webpage on Health Reform (direct link): http://pulse.partners.org/howto/HCReform.htm

-From: Health Care Reform - update and resources, e-mail from Kim Simonian, MPH, Partners HealthCare Community Benefit Programs, October 26, 200; additional information as noted.

10/07