Kupuna News A Magazine For And About Hawai`i's Seniors (October - December 2014)

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NEW MEDICAID CHANGES Hawai‘i Medicaid is launching a new program called QUEST Integration. If you are covered by a QUEST or QExA health plan, and are still Medicaid eligible in January 2015, you will be affected. What is QUEST Integration? The Med-QUEST Division (MQD) is combining the QUEST and QExA programs into one program called QUEST Integration. QUEST Integration will start on January 1, 2015. There is no change to your eligibility. If you are eligible for QUEST or QExA, you will be eligible for QUEST Integration. QUEST Integration allows all recipients in your family to be covered by the same health plan. There is no reduction to benefits, and you may have access to additional benefits. More people will have access to home and community based services. You don’t need to change your health plan when you turn 65 years old, or if you develop a disability. You can now stay with the same plan. Which health plans are available? AlohaCare, HMSA, Kaiser (Oahu & Maui only), Ohana Health Plan, United Healthcare. When can I change my health plan? The QUEST Integration open enrollment period is September 2-September 30, 2014. In Mid-August, the MQD should have mailed you a QUEST Integration open enrollment packet that included a choice form, health plan ads, newsletter, and a reply envelop. If you choose a new health plan during the open enrollment period, your new health plan will start on January 1, 2015. If you do not want to make changes, you will remain in your current health plan under QUEST Integration as long as you are still eligible for Medicaid on January 1, 2015. When will I know my new health plan? MQD will mail you a confirmation Notice in mid-December confirming your new health plan effective January 1, 2015. Your health plan will mail ID cards in January 2015. If you need to access medical care before receiving you health plan ID card, providers will accept you health plan Confirmation Notice. Recipients are encouraged to call the Med-QUEST Enrollment Call Center at 1 (808) 524-3370 (OAHU) or 1-800-316-8005 from the neighbor islands. What to Include in Your Hurricane Preparedness Kits With the recent severe weather affecting the islands and the hurricane season running until November, here are just a few tips from the “Hurricane Preparedness Guide” from the Hawai‘i Civil Defense Website http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense/. When in a “watch” area: (1) listen to the radio, TV or NOAA weather radio for the storms progress; (2) fuel and service vehicles; (3) have extra cash handy; (4) prepare to cover windows/ doors with shielding material; (5) check batteries and stock up on can goods, first-aid supplies, drinking water, and medications (7 day supply); bring in light objects (ex: garbage cans, garden tools, etc.). Plan to leave if: (1) you live in a weakly constructed building such as single wall building that have not been properly retrofitted; (2) live in a low lying/evacuation area, near a stream, river or flood prone zone; (3) live in a high rise building If you decide to evacuate to a shelter, some of the things you should bring along: (1) first aid kits; (2) medicine/prescriptions; (3) toiletries; (4) battery powered radio and cell phone; (5) flashlights; (6) extra batteries; (7) blanket/sleeping bag; (8) Identification; (9) copies of important documents; some cash and credit card; (10) special items for children/seniors. For more information on hurricane preparedness, you can go to the County of Hawai‘i Civil Defense “Hurricane Preparedness Guide” website.