USVI Public Records

Document text

PRESS RELEASE Department of Human Services « 1303 Golden Rock, Christiansted, VI 00820 1303 Hospital Ground, Suite 1* St. Thomas, VI 00802 Contacts: Lennox Zamore Michal Rhymer-Browne Administrator Assistant Commissioner Department of Human Services Department of Human Services Division of Family Assistance Division of Family Assistance [340] 774-0930 ext 4361 340-626-6268 (340) 774-1166 or 690-0299 [340] 774-3466 (Fax) (340) 774-3466 Lennox.zamore@dhs.vi.gov Michal.Rhymer-Browne@dhs.vi.gov March 19, 2015 U.S. Virgin Islands Medicaid State Plan Amendment to Establish an Alternative Benefit Plan for Childless Adults under the Medicaid Program Commissioner Designee, Vivian I. Ebbesen-Fludd wishes to inform the public that in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § 440.386, the United States Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (“Department”) is hereby giving notice of its intent to seek approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), for a State Plan Amendment (SPA) to establish an Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) effective May 1, 2015 in accordance with Sections 1902(k)(1) and 1937 of the Social Security Act. This Draft Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) State Plan Amendment (SPA) describes the Medicaid benefits that will be provided to childless adults by the Medicaid Program. The establishment of the Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) is a federal requirement before the territory can extend Medicaid eligibility to childless adults between the ages of 19 and 65. Medicaid coverage of that population with an income test of 133% of the Virgin Islands Poverty level (75% of the Federal Poverty level) is scheduled to begin on May 1, 2015. The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS) is soliciting public comments on the attached Public Notice and List of Benefits regarding the Draft Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP). The public has thirty (30) days in which to submit its comments. The public may review the Draft Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) State Plan Amendment (SPA) at the following Department of Human Services’ locations: (1) St. Croix— Office of the Commissioner 3011 Golden Rock, Christiansted, VI 00820; (2) St. Thomas — Office of the Commissioner 1303 Hospital Ground, Suite 1, St. Thomas, VI 00802; (3) St. John — Department of Human Services Multipurpose Center Cruz Bay, St. John, VI 00830; and the (4) Department’s Website: www.dhs.gov.vi. Attachment: a Notice s A 15-02 224, leo (5 Date / Vivian 4 Ebbesen- eg d Commissioner Designee