Until the end of 2023, undocumented immigrants over the age of 65 who reside in New York who qualified were only entitled to receive services from the Emergency Medicaid program, or Emergency Medicaid. But since the first day of this year, NY State of Healththe New York organization that provides access to various health programs, offers that sector of the population a new health insurance option called Medicaid Managed Care. And, of course, at the Hispanic Federation we are already helping a part of that sector to obtain the new medical coverage.
“This new insurance offers more benefits to undocumented immigrants aged 65 or older,” explains Liliana Melgar-Hoyos, Vice President of Health Operations at the Hispanic Federation. “For example, preventive and primary care benefits, such as routine doctor visits, certain exams and laboratory tests, and prescription medications.”
To be eligible, the undocumented immigrant over age 65 must have income that does not exceed the minimum required to obtain Medicaid, or that is less than 138% of the federal poverty line, or federal poverty level.
“That is equivalent to $20,121 per year for a person, with resources of a maximum of $30,182,” adds Melgar-Hoyos. “If we talk about a family of two people, it is $27,214, with maximum resources of $40,821.”
Our Hispanic Federation has been helping our community enroll in various health plans since 2010, when then-President Barack Obama implemented the ACA, or the Affordable Care Act. And since the first of this month, it helps undocumented immigrants over 65 years of age to enroll in Medicaid Managed Care. But only to those who are already registered with the NY State of Health.
Those who are uninsured and do not already have Emergency Medicaid can only apply for coverage in the new program through the New York City Department of Social Services or the Human Resources Administration, and not through NY State of Health.
On the other hand, people can call NY State of Health to request that they not be affiliated with Medicaid Managed Care, but maintaining its participation in Emergency Medicaid. For that, you can call (855) 355-5777 and, if you prefer to be answered in Spanish, dial 2.
“In any case, and because these procedures can confuse some people, we invite them to call us at the federation so that we can give them guidance, even if they are not eligible for us to register them. For example, we can explain to them which State or City office they can consult about their cases,” Liliana Melgar-Hoyos ends by saying.
To do so, or to register for Medicaid Managed Care, call 1(833) 656-2626.
And if you need more information about our Hispanic Federation, you can consult hereor call us at 866.HF.HELP or (866) 432-9832.
Celebrate with us the 34th anniversary of the Hispanic Federation, and until the next column!
Frankie Miranda is the president of the Hispanic Federation
2024-01-29 17:29:35
#Medicaid #undocumented #seniors #Diario
