Medicare and long-term care

Medicare programs

• Apple Health Medicare Savings Programs
• Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Certification periods
• Apple Health Medicare Connect
• Medicare information from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
• Medicare Savings Programs reference guide 

Railroad retirement

Railroad Retirement Medicare entitlement is NOT in SOLQ. The client can present a Red, White and Blue Medicare entitlement card or RRB approval or award letter that shows their or their dependent's Medicare coverage. RRB award letters do not provide entitlement dates for Part A and Part B. The RRB Red, White and Blue cards do provide Medicare entitlement dates.

The number for Railroad Retirement Medicare Benefits is: 1-877-772-5772. Railroad retirement field office locator.

Medicare buy-in unit

For Medicare Buy-in issues contact: 1-800-562-3022 Ext.1-6129. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This phone number is strictly for Medicare premium payment questions only.

A worker can contact the Medicare Buy in unit on a case related question by using a barcode tickler to 102@MBU.

Medicare information specific to long-term care

Medicare payment for nursing facility cost of care:

• Medicare pays the full cost of care for NF services for up to 20 days per benefit period and partial costs for the remainder of 100 days when the person meets Medicare requirements. The partial costs are called Medicare A coinsurance days.
• If the FBDE client enters the NF under Medicare coverage, the agency determines eligibility and participation the same as for any other institutional person on Medicaid.
• Do not code Medicare days in ACES (ME) as this will affect the NF award letter.
• The FBDE client does not pay participation toward Medicare days. Once that Medicare coverage ends, the client pays participation toward Medicaid days up to the cost of care. Client participation towards the cost of care is a post-eligibility requirement tied to institutional Medicaid programs, not the Medicare benefit.
• Monitor resource eligibility when an FBDE client is on full Medicare days. An FBDE client on Medicare for the full 100 days may acquire excess resources. Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care explains the NF Medicare benefit.

Reimbursement rates for full benefit dual eligibles (FBDE)

Purpose: This clarification is based on the Dear Nursing Home Administrator letter NH #2010-001 sent 3/26/2010.

For Medicaid clients enrolled in Medicare A, Medicare will pay in full for up to the first twenty days of nursing facility care at the full Medicare rate. For the first day and up to eighty days thereafter (i.e. the hundred and first day), the amount paid by Medicare will be reduced by the client's coinsurance responsibilities. The agency will pay up to the Medicaid rate for the coinsurance days. This is described in WAC 182-502-0110 (3) and 1902 of the Social Security Act

Reimbursement rates for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB)

Those eligible for QMB are eligible for payment of Medicare cost sharing expenses.

A QMB only client may apply for a CN or MN program if Medicaid is needed beyond the Medicare days in the nursing facility.

The agency will pay for Medicare coinsurance charges for QMB residents, up to the Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement rate. It is not necessary for a QMB-only resident to apply for Medicaid services for payment of coinsurance expense during Medicare coinsurance days. QMB-only clients are not required to pay participation. An award letter is not required to bill the agency for Medicare copayment expenses. Providers should refer to the nursing home billing guide for instructions on how to bill for QMB-only claims.

Reimbursement rates for FBDE clients enrolled in Medicare Part C (Advantage) plans

For Medicaid clients enrolled in Medicare Part C plans, payment for Medicare days including coinsurance days may vary depending on the Medicare C plan. The agency will pay up to the Medicaid rate for coinsurance days.

Medicaid client participation during Medicare days including coinsurance days

Facilities may not collect participation from Medicaid clients during Medicare days, including Medicare coinsurance days. Client participation indicated on the nursing facility Medicaid award letter is only applicable for Medicaid days.

Client participation is not an eligibility factor for Medicare coverage. This includes cases where the Medicaid rate is higher than the Medicare coinsurance rate and DSHS is billed for the coinsurance up to the Medicaid rate. Clients or their representatives are responsible for reporting if their resources exceed Medicaid standards. 

Note: The agency cannot use Medicaid funds to pay the recipient's coinsurance responsibility beyond the amount Medicaid would pay for the service and cannot allow nursing facilities to write off the unpaid amounts as bad debts on their Medicaid cost reports.

Nursing Home Providers may contact the nursing home claims processing unit at the Health Care Authority (HCA) with questions regarding the billing during Medicare days.

Noncontracted Medicaid nursing facilities

Some nursing facilities are contracted with Medicare, but not with Medicaid. Nursing facilities can file a Medicare coinsurance claim with HCA for QMB eligibles.

If the Medicare days end, the nursing facility cost would be considered private pay. If the person remains in a noncontracted Medicaid for 30 days or more, the only full Medicaid that can be considered is an S99. The private pay cost in a medical institution is an allowable spenddown expense.

If a client is on HCBS Waiver and that is what is driving the S03/QMB eligibility, and enters a non-Medicaid contracted Medicare facility, a redetermination will be needed if the client is in the NF 30 days or more under the S99 program. This redetermination will likely cause the S03/QMB to close after the 10-day notice period.

Medicare premiums as a participation deduction

Only out-of-pocket Medicare premiums are an allowable participation reduction. If the Medicare premium is covered under a Medicare savings program (MSP) or state buy-in, it is not an allowable participation reduction. Consult the Allowable medical expenses in the Apple Health eligibility manual for complete information on medical expenses used as a participation reduction.

All FBDE clients are automatically enrolled in the low-income subsidey (LIS) Extra help subsidy for Medicare D prescription drug coverage unless the client has creditable coverage for prescriptions under another plan. If an LTC client elects to have a nonbenchmark Medicare D plan, the out-of-pocket cost (difference in the premium minus the LIS subsidy) is an allowable medical expense deduction from participation. 

Any expense deducted from room and board (residential clients in ALFs) is coded as an Exception to the Rule (ETR). Signed ETRs are needed to deduct any expense from room and board. Do not request an ETR if there is available participation.

Medicare D-Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)

Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare assumed responsibility for the prescription drug coverage for over 6 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries who are also enrolled in Medicaid. These beneficiaries are referred to as full-benefit dual eligible (FBDE). 

• All FBDE clients transitioned from Medicaid drug coverage to Medicare drug coverage as of January 1, 2006.
• FBDE clients receive their prescriptions through a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) unless they receive prescriptions through a creditable coverage plan. If they do not enroll in a plan, they are automatically assigned a PDP. 
• FBDE clients can change plans any time by contacting 1-800-Medicare. The new plan will be effective on the first of the next month.
• Fee for service Medicaid will cover medically necessary over-the-counter medications specifically listed as a covered item on the HCA website.
• FBDE clients have copays under Medicare Part D that will vary.
• FBDE clients who are on a benchmark Medicare D plan have their premiums paid by the low-income subsidy (LIS) program through Medicare.
• FBDE clients are entitled to premium-free Part D enrollment, however they may elect enrollment in an enhanced plan. Those who enroll in an enhanced plan are responsible for the portion of the premium attributable to the enhancement and that portion is an allowable deduction in the post-eligibility calculation.
• FBDE clients who are residing in institutions (nursing homes and ICF-MRs) are exempt from Med D copays once they are residing in a facility for a full calendar month. An FBDE client will have no Med D copays once they are deemed in a medical institution through the end of the calendar year. This group is called LIS 3.
• FBDE clients who are eligible for a Home and Community Based Waiver are exempt from Med D copayments starting 1/1/2012.
• The LIS status resets every January 1.

Example: An FBDE client is on Community First Choice (CFC) February 1st, on February 28th the client enters the NF. On May 3rd the client returns home on CFC. For this client, the Medicare D co-payments end on April 30th and will continue to have no copayments through December 31st (the end of the calendar year).

Note: Medicare D copayments ended for home and community based (HCBS) waivers effective 1/1/2012 due to federal legislation. A pharmacy is required to accept an HCBS Waiver award letter from ACES or a Planned Action Notice (PAN) from the social service authorization for new HCBS Waiver openings until the interface between ProviderOne and Medicare identifies the HCBS Waiver person as LIS 3 in the system.

Medicare D LIS payment levels and what they mean

Health Care Authority (HCA) sends information to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding an FBDE client's status. CMS sends this information to the PDP.

Payment level 1: QMB, SLMB only

Payment level 2: An FBDE client who is not institutionalized

Payment level 3: Institutional group. Effective 1/1/2012 this will include HCBS waiver eligibles authorized by Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA).

If the PDP indicates to the pharmacy that a person is still not showing up as a payment level 3, the client must present an award letter or PAN showing institutional medical eligibility as "best available evidence" for the Medicare D copayments to be waived.

If the person in an institution or on a HCB Waiver still shows up as a payment level 2 even after the PDP has received an institutional award letter, the pharmacy or PDP should contact 1-800-Medicare.

Field staff or the client can call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) to report any issues around Medicare D or complaints about the PDP or a pharmacy not accepting an award letter or planned action notice. If a complaint is made to Medicare, a copy of the complaint will be forwarded to CMS. It also tracks the complaints to make the PDPs accountable for customer service.

• HCA Medicare Part D resources
• Drugs covered by Medicaid

The Medicare D benchmark plan is the maximum monthly premium that will be paid by CMS for clients qualifying for "Extra Help". If a person receiving the low-income subsidy (LIS) enrolls in a Medicare Part D plan which has a premium higher than the amount listed as a benchmark, the beneficiary is responsible for paying the difference in the premium.

All Medicaid clients are automatically enrolled in the LIS/Extra help subsidy. If an LTC client elects to have a non-benchmark plan, the out-of-pocket cost (difference in the premium) is an allowable medical expense deduction from participation.

Medicare D Prescription Drug Plan for newly Medicaid eligible

Until an FBDE client is auto enrolled in a Medicare D prescription drug plan, newly eligible Medicaid clients get their prescription drugs through the Limited Income Net Program (LI-NET) powered by Humana.

Note: Medicare D premiums are paid by Medicare's low-income subsidy (LIS) program not HCA. HCA sends information on all Medicaid recipients eligible to receive Medicare benefits to Medicare to enroll these clients in the low-income subsidy program. Benchmark plan premiums are covered 100% by the Medicare LIS program. Individuals need to call 1-800-Medicare if they wish to switch to a benchmark plan. Clients need to call their PDP plan to resolve issues with prescription drug coverage.

HCA does not enroll clients in Medicare D plans, this is done by Medicare.

Creditable coverage and Medicare D

Not all Medicare eligible clients have Medicare D. Clients that have "creditable coverage" are not required to enroll into a Medicare D plan once they become Medicaid eligible.

What is creditable coverage?

Creditable Coverage Definition and Determination defined by CMS:

As defined in the regulation at 42 CFR §423.56(a), drug coverage is creditable if the actuarial value of the coverage equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard Medicare prescription drug coverage. In general, this actuarial determination measures whether the expected amount of paid claims under the entity’s prescription drug coverage is at least as much as the expected amount of paid claims under the standard Medicare prescription drug benefit. See 70 CFR 4225

In a client has health insurance that includes comparable prescription drug coverage, they do not have to enroll into a Medicare D plan.

These plans are required to send a document to the client indicating they provide comparable prescription drug coverage.

Refer clients to the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner (SHIBA) if clients have questions about switching insurance.

Do clients have out-of-pocket prescription drug co payments associated with creditable coverage plans?

Yes. Creditable coverage plans may have co payment charges that are considered out-of-pocket costs to the client. These out-of-pocket costs must be verified for the agency to reduce participation. Once the agency has verification of what the health insurance has paid toward the prescription drugs, the out-of-pocket co payment is an allowable deduction from participation.

What happens if the system automatically enrolls an client with creditable coverage into a Medicare D prescription drug plan once they become eligible for Medicaid?

The client or their representative will need to contact 1-800-Medicare and their creditable coverage insurance carrier to indicate they want to retain their creditable coverage health plan. There are times when Medicaid clients are enrolled into a Medicare D PDP incorrectly when the client has creditable coverage.

Clarification from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued 12/2005 regarding Medicare D prescription drug costs and post eligibility.

Beginning January 1, 2006 clients enrolled in Medicare will be able to receive prescription drugs through Medicare Part D. For the most part, coverage of prescription drugs will no longer be available under Medicaid. Many states have raised questions about how to treat pharmacy charges and Part D costs for institutionalized clients.

Part D premiums

Full benefit dual eligibles (FBDEs) are entitled to premium-free Part D enrollment, however they may elect enrollment in an enhanced plan. Those who enroll in an enhanced plan are responsible for that portion of the premium attributable to the enhancement. When an institutionalized FBDE is enrolled in an enhanced plan the portion of the premium that remains the client’s responsibility is an allowable deduction in the post-eligibility calculation.

Copays, deductibles and coverage gap

Full benefit dual eligibles (FBDEs) who are institutionalized and enrolled in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plan (PDP or MA-PD) will not be responsible for the payment of deductibles or copays, nor will they be subject to a coverage gap in their Part D benefits (these rules do not apply to clients eligible under a 1915 (c) waiver). Listed below are the various circumstances that may apply to institutionalized FBDEs:

• The plan will require no copays or deductibles and will apply no coverage gap.
• If the state identifies the client as an institutionalized FBDE for past months on their monthly Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) file, the plan will reimburse the client for any copays incurred during those months.
• If the state identifies the client as an institutionalized FBDE for past months on their monthly MMA file, the plan will reimburse the client for copays or deductibles and costs incurred during a coverage gap for those months.
• The plan will be responsible for drug charges effective the date of enrollment. The plan will not charge deductibles or copays, or apply a coverage gap to those enrolled as institutionalized FBDEs.

In the first three circumstances above, when post-eligibility is calculated, there should be no deductions for copays, deductibles or coverage gaps. This is because, if incurred, the client is not ultimately responsible for these charges. In the last circumstance above, the client will remain responsible for Part D covered drugs purchased prior to the effective date of the Part D enrollment. In this circumstance the cost of these drugs is an allowable deduction in the post-eligibility calculation.

Nonformulary Part D drugs

PDPs and MA-PDs are required to develop transition plans for institutionalized clients. Plans may allow for limited coverage of drugs that are not part of the plan’s formulary. Each PDP/MA-PD’s transition plan may vary. Plans must issue a periodic (at least monthly) statement to the beneficiary explaining all benefits paid and denied. Part D drugs that are not covered by the plan may not be covered by Medicaid, and absent other drug coverage, these would remain the responsibility of the client. These charges may be allowable deductions in the post-eligibility calculation. To determine whether prescription charges should be allowed in post-eligibility, apply the following rules:

1. When a plan denies coverage of a prescription the beneficiary has the right to request an exception for coverage of the drug. The beneficiary is notified in writing of the decision on any exception requested. If the drug charge appears on the statement as a denial, and no exception was requested, do not allow the charge.
2. If the drug charge appears on the statement as a denial, and an exception was requested and denied, allow the charge. At the state’s option, the deduction for these costs may be subject to reasonable limits.

This procedure will help ensure that legitimate costs for drugs not covered by the plan are correctly allowed in post-eligibility. By relying on the plan statements and exception notices, eligibility workers will not need to be concerned with knowing the plan’s formulary or nonformulary drugs covered under a transition plan or under the exception process. Applicants should be advised to maintain these documents for consideration in post-eligibility.

Non-Part D covered drugs

Certain drugs are not covered under Part D. State Medicaid programs have the option of covering these excluded drugs. If the institutionalized FBDE client presents documentation that a purchased drug is excluded under Part D, and the State Medicaid program has not opted to cover the drug, absent other drug coverage, the drug may be an allowable deduction in the post-eligibility calculation. States may place reasonable limits on this deduction.

Projection and reconciliation

For states that opt to project medical expenses for post-eligibility, note that the projected figures must be reconciled at the end of the prospective period. Use the guidelines above to determine the beneficiary’s actual costs to determine the appropriate adjustment to the projected deductions.

Note: HCS Management Bulletin H06-015-Procedure dated March 7, 2006 includes several handout and Q and A regarding Medicare D.

What about Medicare insurance supplements, also called Medigap plans?

Medigap plans are private insurance supplements that provide additional coverage for certain Medicare copayments.

Medigap insurance premiums are an allowable post eligibility deduction from participation.

Medigap insurance is not allowed as an ETR from room and board. The reason for this is because clients in medical institutions or on a HCB Waiver are eligible to receive a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) which provides the same copayment coverage as a Medigap plan. Do not allow Medigap insurance as a deduction from state-funded room and board.

Clients can choose to cancel Medigap plans when going on institutional and HCB Waiver services and QMB. If the client goes off Medicaid, they have 30 days per the Office of Insurance Commissioner to notify their Medigap plan that they want to be reinstated. Refer clients to their local SHIBA counselor if they have questions about cancelling and reinstating their Medigap plans.

Medicare C - Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans are another way to get original Medicare (Parts A and B).

Medicare pays a private insurance company you select to manage your care.

You pay:

• Part A premiums (if any)
• Part B premiums
• The Medicare Advantage Plan's premium (if any)
• Any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance

For clients on institutional Medicaid, the only out-of-pocket expense would be the Medicare Advantage Plan premium if any.

Since institutional Medicaid clients receive both Medicaid and QMB Medicare Savings Program, the deductible and copayments are covered (up to the state rate). Providers with a Medicaid contract are to accept payment at the state rate.

What do these plans cover?

All medically necessary care covered by original Medicare.

They could include prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D)

They could include additional coverage for vision, hearing, dental, foot care.

For additional information on Medicare Advantage Plans including approved Medicare Advantage Plans in the State of Washington by county.

Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and long-term care: Effective date

Note: The date eligibility is established for QMB/S03 is determined by the Public Benefits Specialist (PBS), or LIS leads data having all the information needed in order to make a decision on the application. HCA has clarified that QMB needs to be open the first of the following month the action could have been taken by the PBS.

QMB/S03 starts the first of the month following the date eligibility is established. If institutional eligibility is needed to open S03 because income is over the FPL, then the S03 opens the first of the month following the date all verification was received to establish eligibility. The date eligibility is established is the date that is indicated on the VERF screen. HCA has given clarification that if verifications are received, but LTC does not start until the following month, that the PBS would indicate the date the verifications are received on the VERF screen. If verifications were received in a prior month to the LTC start date, this would cause the S03 to open in the same month as the LTC. Even though the LTC eligibility is driving S03 eligibility, this is correct.

S05/SLMB starts in the month the client is income eligible for the program. This includes a retro month.

S06/QI 1 starts in the month the client is income eligible for the program. This includes a retro month.

What is a retro month? A retro month is 3 months prior to the date the application was received.

What is a plug in? A plug in is needed when P1 does not pick up the eligibility from ACES. HCA indicates it is always needed for MSP or state buy in coverage in a retro month. To request a plug-in contact the Medicare buy-in unit using a barcode tickler to: 102@MBU

State buy-in. This is state funded and picks up the Medicare B premium in the 3rd month of Medicaid eligibility. State buy in is used when the client is not eligible for a federally matched MSP program but is eligible for a Medicaid program. State buy-in is frequently used for the Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program and spenddown as most of these clients have income that exceeds the MSP income standards.

If we are opening an institutional program back several months and an client was not eligible for the S03/QMB until the first of the month following the month we had all the necessary information to open S03, the state will still buy in the Medicare premium in the 3rd month of eligibility.

Active Medicaid client subsequently becomes eligible for Medicare. In this scenario, HCA has confirmed that the PBS would screen in the S03 in the month prior to the Medicare eligibility to start the MSP in the month the client becomes Medicare eligible.

Note: For more information, see allowable medical expenses.

ACES-Medicare savings programs

LTCX screen coding and Medicare

• OA-Medicare Part A premiums
• OB-Medicare Part B premiums
• OC-Medicare Part C premiums
• OD-Medicare Part D premiums
• OP-Medicare Part D copayments

Additional helpful links for Medicare issues

• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
• Medicare prescription drug program (Part D)
• Medicare website
• Apply online for Medicare