During a recent government meeting, Amber Taylor provided an update on the challenges facing the Medicaid Purchase Program (MAPP) in Adams County, which currently serves 303 individuals. MAPP is designed for disabled individuals over 18 who earn 250% or less of the federal poverty level and have limited assets. A significant change implemented in August required monthly premiums for members earning over 100% of the federal poverty level, leading to confusion among participants.

Taylor highlighted several issues contributing to this confusion, including a payment error on the Access and My Access platforms that hindered payment processing. Although this issue has been resolved, many members continue to experience difficulties with online payments due to technical barriers. Additionally, incorrect addresses listed on forms from the Department of Health Services (DHS) have caused delays in premium payments, exacerbating the situation.

In response to these challenges, an emergency meeting was held in early September, where consortia and DHS requested the waiver of August and September premiums to prevent members from losing eligibility. However, this request was denied, although DHS later agreed to extend eligibility for MAP members through the end of October if their coverage loss was solely due to unpaid premiums.

The ongoing issues have placed significant strain on the division, with increased foot traffic as members seek assistance with payments. Economic support specialists are facing high call volumes, with some clients waiting up to four hours for assistance. This high demand is leading to burnout among staff, who spend a substantial portion of their day managing frustrated client interactions.

To alleviate some of the pressure, Taylor recommended that members consider enrolling in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for automatic payments and utilize the mobile app for easier access to payment options. She encouraged individuals with questions to contact the Capital Consortium and use the callback feature to avoid long wait times.

The meeting underscored the complexities of administering the MAPP program and the critical need for effective communication and support for both members and staff as they navigate these challenges.