Adult Directory 2013

XII. MEDICAL CARE
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law by President Obama in 2011 requires
most Americans (principally low-income) to have health insurance coverage, public or
private, by March 31, 2014. Coverage can include job-based private health insurance,
Medicare, Medicaid, TriCARE, veterans’ health coverage, certain student health
insurance plans. Coverage must include: Doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency room
care, maternity and newborn care, mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling
and treatment, rehabilitative services and devices, dental and vision care, prescription
drugs, and lab tests. Persons not enrolled in an insurance plan are subject to a monetary
penalty. Those who cannot afford insurance are exempt from penalty. Incarcerated
persons are not required to have health insurance, but must apply within one month upon
release. Persons on parole, probation, supervised release and in jail pending disposition
of a criminal charge must be enrolled in a health insurance plan. Probation, parole
agencies, jails, and prisons are required to identify individuals who may be eligible for
Medicaid and design a process for enrolling individuals and connecting them with
community based health care.
Persons currently insured under Medicaid or Medicare will remain covered under that
plan until the coverage’s recertification date, or until a change in circumstances.
Medicaid/Medicare recertification occurs yearly from the date of enrollment. As of
January 1, 2014, eligibility for new and returning applicants will be determined using
new ACA guidelines. The new guidelines expand Medicaid eligibility allowing
incarcerated individuals or the principal enrollee to apply for Medicaid prior to being
released.
Incarcerated persons: Medicaid/Medicare coverage is suspended for incarcerated
persons. To re-enroll, the person must report to one of the five Economic Security
Administration locations and register (see Material Assistance Chapter for list of ESA
locations).
Insurance eligibility for DC residents is determined by DC Health Link online
marketplace www.dchealthlink.org DC residents can apply for health insurance:
o Online: www.dchealthlink.org and begin or complete the enrollment process.
(DC HealthLink website also provides a list of, no cost, trained assisters to
help consumers understand and apply for ACA insurance.)
o Go to one of the five ESA locations (see Material Assistance Chapter for list of
ESA service locations).
o Visit at DC HealthLink Enrollment Center (Walk-ins, no appointments)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - 901 G Street, NW 20001
Mon-Wed 10:30am to 8pm, Thurs, Fri 3:30am to 1pm
Sat 10:30am to 4:30pm
Deanwood Library -1350 49 th Street, NE 20019
Mon-Wed 10:30am to 4:30pm, Thurs, Fri noon to 8pm
Sat 10:30am to 4:30pm
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Adult Resource Directory: 2013
Community & Confinement Access Guide