HUSKY and Charter Oak Health Plan Changes

Connecticut Voices for Children has created this resource page for individuals and organizations to obtain information about health plan changes in the HUSKY program and the implementation of the new Charter Oak Health Plan for uninsured adults. These are some of the most recent and major changes to the participation of the health plans in HUSKY and Charter Oak:

• While two of the three health plans are brand new to HUSKY beginning September 2008, eligibility rules and benefits for HUSKY members are not changing.
• Aetna Better Health, Americhoice and Community Health Network of CT (CHNCT) are enrolling HUSKY and Charter Oak members into their health plans.
• Families who enrolled in HUSKY prior to September, will be transitioning from Anthem and Traditional Medicaid (fee-for-service) to Aetna, Americhoice and CHNCT from now until December on a county-by-county basis.
• Pharmacy benefits are now administered by DSS, effective February 1, 2008.
• Dental benefits are now administered by Benecare Dental Plans, effective September 1, 2008.
• Behavioral health continues to be provided through the [1] CT Behavioral Health Partnership.
• Charter Oak Health Plan began enrolling eligible individuals in September on a state-wide basis.

HUSKY Program

Summaries of program changes from Covering Kids and Families meetings

• [2] April 2008 summary of changes (PDF)

Presentations and materials from April 2008 Covering Kids meeting

• [3] DSS presentation by Rose Ciarcia on HUSKY transition (PDF)
• [4] DSS presentation on HUSKY dental improvements initiative (PDF)
• [5] Commissioner Starkowski letter to Gov. Rell on HUSKY program changes (PDF)
• [6] Carr v. Wilson-Coker dental lawsuit settlement highlights (PDF)

HUSKY members

• [7] Notices on health plan changes (updated April 10)
• [8] Notice to members defaulting to fee for service/traditional Medicaid (PDF)
• [9] Notice to HUSKY A members participating in the CHNCT plan regarding health plan changes.  August 2008. (PDF)
• [10] Notice to HUSKY A members participating in BlueCare and Traditional Medicaid regarding health plan changes.  August 2008. (PDF)
• [11] Notice to HUSKY A & B members on changes in health plan enrollment. November 2008. (PDF)

Other

• [12] CT Medicaid Managed Care Council letter and council motion to Governor Rell regarding the HUSKY transition and the Governor's response. August 2008. (PDF)
• [13] DSS plan to implement a primary care case management pilot program.  August 2008. (PDF)
• [14] "Is Health Plan Ready" editorial in the Hartford Courant regarding the HUSKY transition. September 5, 2008. (PDF)
• [15] HUSKY health plan transitions. September 5, 2008 (PDF)
• [16] 2008/2009 HUSKY Forum Schedule. January 2009. (PDF)
• [17] Medicaid Managed Care Council HUSKY Program Update. December 12, 2008. (PDF)
• [18] DSS presentation to the Medicaid Managed Care Council. December 12, 2008. (PDF)

Charter Oak Health Plan

The Charter Oak Health Plan application process involves two steps. Generally, the submission of a Quick Start application is followed up with a request from the Charter Oak program for more detailed information. (Charter Oak administrators need additional information from an applicant in order to screen for eligibility for HUSKY and SAGA since an uninsured individual who is eligible for either of those programs is ineligible for Charter Oak.) As a result, applications may take longer to process than the 30 business days called for in state regulations.

• [19] DSS Charter Oak Health Plan notice of intent and regulations (PDF)
• [20] DSS presentation "Charter Oak Health Plan & HUSKY Update."  August 2008.  (PDF)