UPMC for You partners to offer Medicaid redetermination coverage in laundromats
Individuals can be assisted, "perhaps even literally while waiting for their clothes to dry," says UPMC for You president.
Photo: Sutthiwat Srikhrueadam/Getty Images
Ahead of Medicaid redeterminations on April 1, UPMC's Medicaid managed care plan has announced a partnership with Fabric Health to provide on-site health support and social services access in certain laundromats.
The initiative with UPMC's Medicaid plan UPMC for You, will provide WiFi access as Fabric Health staff in laundromats help individuals navigate access to preventative and other healthcare coverage, apply for assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP and LIHEAP, and connect with other support services, UPMC said.
With over 32 million Americans using a laundromat each week, these businesses provide opportunities to connect with individuals who may need support, according to Fabric Health, that provides engagement in laundromats.
The initiative will start in laundromats located in Edgewood, Mt. Washington, Shadyside, South Park Township and West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
"UPMC for You wants to make accessing social supports and healthcare coverage for those in need as convenient and easy as possible -- even if it means reaching out to one individual at a time," said John Lovelace, president of UPMC for You and president for government programs. "We are excited to partner with Fabric Health in this community-based effort to help busy – and often overwhelmed – individuals access the health and other supports they and their loved ones need, perhaps even literally while waiting for their clothes to dry."
WHY THIS MATTERS
The initiative is being launched as the continuous coverage requirements for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees under the public health emergency come to an end on April 1, ahead of the May 11 expiration of the PHE.
Under the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package that passed in December 2022, states were given the ability to begin processing Medicaid redeterminations on April 1 and were given one year to complete them.
Many recipients - up to 18 million by some estimates - covered by Medicaid and CHIP could be disenrolled. Many are reportedly unaware that they could lose coverage.
States, AHIP and the federal government have been working to keep people covered - for Medicaid, if they continue to qualify, or for other types of health insurance. In January, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a temporary Exceptional Circumstances Special Enrollment Period from March 31 through July 31, for enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans.
"This partnership also provides an avenue to assist those who may lose Medicaid coverage with the end of the continuous coverage requirement, as the laundromat-based Fabric Health staff can even help those losing Medicaid find other coverage through CHIP or the Individual Marketplace and apply for other benefits," Lovelace said.
THE LARGER TREND
While renewals will be sent over a period of twelve months, UPMC for You said it is working closely with community partners, providers and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to educate its members about the importance of completing renewals on time.
Additionally, members who lose Medicaid eligibility will also receive education about how to apply for coverage from Pennie, Pennsylvania's state-based health and dental insurance marketplace, or other coverage where appropriate.
Since 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has required Medicaid Managed Care Organizations to work with community organizations to accelerate their role in delivering value-based healthcare.
ON THE RECORD
"The partnership between UPMC for You and Fabric Health is an innovative and effective way to ease barriers to support and help people navigate and get connected to services. As we prepare for Medicaid renewals, creative partnerships to connect with and assist members will be important to keeping people connected to health care coverage," said Sally Kozak, Deputy Secretary for Office of Medical Assistance Programs at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org
Joe Drygas and Randy Bush will offer more detail during the HIMSS23 session "The 5G Advantage: Advanced Connectivity for Life Sciences and Healthcare." It is scheduled for Friday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CT at the South Building, Level 1, room S105 C.
