Announcements

2009

Changes to Medicaid Benefits effective July 1, 2009

The State of Michigan recently announced changes to Medicaid benefits, starting July 1, 2009.  These changes are for some benefits for people who are 21 years and older (Executive Order 2009-22).  Medicaid will no longer pay for Chiropractic, Podiatry, Hearing Aids, and Vision Services.  There are no changes to benefits for members under the age of 21. 

We value our CareSource members.  CareSource will continue to cover the services below through September 30, 2009, even though they are no longer covered by the Medicaid program:

Chiropractic (back care)
CareSource members age 21 and older – 5 visits per year

Hearing Services
CareSource members age 21 and older – 1 hearing exam per year
Hearing aids (including all supplies for hearing aids and evaluations, fittings and repairs associated with hearing aids) are not covered by Medicaid or CareSource; however, hearing exams will be covered

Podiatry (foot care)
CareSource members age 21 and older – 5 visits per year (There are no limits for members with diabetes)

Vision (eye care)
CareSource members age 21 and older – 1 eye exam a year

Glasses and contact lenses are not covered by Medicaid or CareSource.  But, we have arranged for our members to get a discount on the purchase of glasses or contacts from a company called VSP.  The discounts are:

  • 20% off frames, lenses and lens options
  • 15% off contact lens exam

Change in CareSource Service Area

As of October 1, 2009, CareSource will no longer serve Medicaid members in the counties of Arenac, Benzie, Crawford, Ionia, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Missaukee, Oceana, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon, and Saginaw. These members will still be eligible for Medicaid even though they are no longer with CareSource. Michigan ENROLLS will send an enrollment packet in the mail to those eligible in these counties.

Members affected by this change should call Michigan ENROLLS at 1-800-975-7630 or 1-888-367-6557 before September 15, 2009, to choose a new plan with a potential effective date of November 1. 

Plan enrollment requests filed after September 15 may not be effective until December 1.

Important Information

  • CareSource will cover members who are hospitalized until they are discharged from the hospital.
  • CareSource members who are currently in a skilled nursing facility are covered by CareSource until September 30, 2009.
  • All pre-approved services for CareSource members will be covered through September 30, 2009.