Medicaid expansion enrollment begins August 1

TRENTON BUHR

Policy Assistant

Center for Rural Affairs

Nearly two years after voters approved a measure to expand Medicaid, Nebraskans will finally start to see the benefits take shape.

enrollment will begin Aug.1. To be eligible, an applicant’s annual income must be at, or below, 138% of the federal poverty level, which is roughly $17,000 for an individual or $35,000 for a family of four.

Additional circumstances, such as a health condition, dependents or valuable assets, could alter eligibility. As is standard practice, enrollee eligibility will be verified over time to ensure applicants still qualify.

Coverage for new enrollees will begin Oct. 1. Medicaid will provide insurance coverage for most healthcare services, however, dental, vision and over-the-counter medication will only be covered for enrollees who are ages 18 to 19, pregnant or medically frail.

Access to those additional benefits for other enrollees isn’t expected to begin until 2021.

That delay is the result of the state seeking approval to set up a tiered-system of benefits for enrollees. Under the system, Medicaid recipients can receive dental, vision and over-the-counter benefits by completing various wellness activities, such as an annual checkup and listing a primary care physician.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is proposing that eligible activities be monitored and verified by state employees.

Applications can be submitted online at accessnebraska.ne.gov or at a local DHHS office. Assistance is available by calling the Nebraska Medicaid customer service line at 855-632-7633 or visiting a local DHHS office.