Now is the time for people with HIV, their providers and advocates to get fully involved with planning for the upcoming health reform changes in 2014. As the largest expansion of the American health system in more than 40 years, health care reform (HCR) holds a lot of promise for people with HIV and for access to quality HIV care. However, it cannot be implemented overnight. Implementing health care reform thoughtfully for people with HIV — especially around Ryan White services — requires the whole community working together to focus on safe transitions and continued access to comprehensive patient centered services.
Start preparing for health care reform:
■ Learn more about what HCR means to you
- Where do you currently get your HIV care and services?
- How are they paid for?
- Which services do you depend on and need to keep?
- Will they change when health care reform is implemented?
- Are you currently insured?
- Do you expect to qualify for Medicaid – make less than about $15,000 annually for one person?
- Do you expect to qualify for an insurance plan offered in your state’s new insurance Marketplace?
■ Learn more about what HCR means in your state and locality
- Will your state expand the Medicaid program? Is your Medicaid program a managed care program (you chose a plan and see the providers in that plan) or a fee-for-service program (you can see any provider you choose)?
- Every state will have a Marketplace – is yours run by the state, the federal government or is it a partnership between your state and the federal government?
- If your state will not expand Medicaid, does your state HIV/AIDS office intend to try and assist people with buying insurance in the marketplace?
- Is there planning for health care reform going on in your state/area? If so, will you be getting information and when?
- What does your provider plan to do about health care reform? Do you know if he/she is signed up with Medicaid or with any of the plans that will be offered in your marketplace?
- Do you know how you will get information about what will happen in your state/area in 2014?
■ Consult the following HIV-related resources:
- www.hivhealthreform.org, offers monthly webinars on a variety of topics related to HIV and health care reform
- HIV Health Care Access Working Group (HHCAWG), joining allows you to keep up on what is going on with health care reform implementation at the federal and state level. Email Andrea Weddle at aweddle@hivma.org to join.
- Treatment Action Expansion Project
- HIV Medical Association
- American Academy of HIV Medicine
- NASTAD
- HRSA
■ Consult the following general resources:
- Kaiser Family Foundation
- Enroll America
- Families USA
- Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
- National Health Law Program
- For state by state information, check www.statereforum.org