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The purpose of the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance is to provide health care coverage to individuals with low incomes and those with disabilities and to ensure access to high quality, cost effective and appropriate medical care and supportive services.
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- DMMA Announces Disproportionate Share Hospital Application Process
On April 3, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved Medicaid's Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) State Plan Amendment (SPA). The DSH program takes effect on May 1, 2012. Under the approved SPA, DMMA is authorized to make annual lump-sum supplemental Medicaid payments to certain qualifying, Delaware-based, hospitals which serve a disproportionate share of Medicaid and low-income patients. Qualifying hospitals must have an inpatient facility located within Delaware. Qualifying hospitals must also have been enrolled as providers with all participating Delaware Medicaid/CHIP managed care organizations and the Medicaid/CHIP fee-for-service programs in the consecutive 24 months immediately prior to the month of issuance of DSH payment.
In an open memo to Delaware hospitals dated April 18, 2012, the DMMA Director, Rosanne Mahaney announced the amount of DSH funds available and the application process for the current state fiscal year. In order to begin the process for the initial year based on hospital fiscal year 2010 data, an interested hospital must submit a completed DSH application to DMMA on or before Friday, May 18, 2012. The application will enable each hospital to provide the required specific inpatient and outpatient financial data. Hospitals that apply will be notified about whether they qualify and, if so, the amount of the hospital's DSH payment. Hospitals are not required to submit an application. Questions about the DSH application process may be sent to Frank O'Connor via email at frank.oconnor@state.de.us or he may be contacted directly at (302) 255-9615. For a copy of the announcement memo, the DSH application form (DMMA Form DSH 1), and the instructions for completing the DSH application, go to Disproportionate Share Hospital Application Process page.
- Diamond State Health Plan Plus
The Diamond State Health Plan Plus program began on April 1, 2012. Under DSHP Plus, Medicaid beneficiaries receiving long term care services (ex.: nursing facility, home and community-based waiver services, full dual eligibles) are integrated into the Diamond State Health plan in order to have their care better managed. The Diamond State Health Plan Plus 1115 Waiver Amendment is available for public review going to DSHP-Plus Waiver. Please go to DSHP - Plus for additional DSHP Plus information.
- Delaware's Consumer-Focused Health Care Reform Website
Under the Affordable Care Act, health benefit exchanges will be created to provide a web-based means of purchasing health insurance for individuals and small employers. The Health Benefit Exchanges will be effective as of January 1, 2014. Located on the Delaware Health Care Commission's website is current information about health care reform and health benefit exchanges. The website includes information about how health care reform and the exchanges will benefit Delawareans and also contains a link to the State of Wisconsin's health benefit exchange prototype. The prototype permits consumers to test-drive the application to gain an understanding of how a well-designed and user-friendly exchange can work. Visit the Delaware Health Care Commission website at dhss.delaware.gov/dhcc for more information.
- Provider Incentive Program for Electronic Health Records
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Care Act, more commonly referred to as the HITECH Act, was enacted as part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Section 4210 establishes an incentive payment program for Medicare and Medicaid providers to encourage the adoption and use of electronic health records. This program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and eligible hospitals as they adopt and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Eligible professionals may receive up to $63,750 over 6 years and eligible hospitals may receive payments based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment. The Medicaid EHR incentive program is voluntary and is scheduled to begin in calendar year 2011. The Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance will participate in this program. Providers can begin registering with CMS and applying through the Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) in November 2011. We encourage providers who are considering an investment in EHR technology to evaluate their eligibility for this program and their ability to meet the proposed requirements in order to qualify for the incentive payments. For more information, go to Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP).
- List of Medicaid Participating Dentists Now Available
Comprehensive dental care is a benefit for children and adolescents through the Delaware Medicaid and CHIP Programs. DMMA has compiled a list of enrolled dentists and it is now posted at the following website:
www.dmap.state.de.us/information/DE_participating_oral_health_providers.pdf
Click on the link and print off the list to help locate a dentist in your area who can treat your Medicaid or CHIP eligible child. Once you have made an appointment with a dentist who will care for your child, be sure to keep that appointment. Missed appointments prevent your child from receiving the vital oral health care he/she needs and can cause difficulty with making your next appointments.
- Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities (MWD) Starts Operation
The Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities (MWD) program was implemented by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance on October 1, 2009. This program is intended to assist individuals with disabilities by allowing them to work without losing health benefits. Individuals with countable income below 275% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may be eligible. Cost sharing, in the form of monthly premiums, will be applied to those with incomes exceeding 100% of FPL. For more information and an application please call (302) 255-9500 or 1-800-372-2022
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Last Updated:
Wednesday May 09 2012
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