Update from Congresswoman Clark

Hello Friend,

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a significant strain on families and students. I want to update you on what I've done in Congress to support the needs of our families and students, and also connect you to some relevant resources that are currently available for you and your loved ones. Last month, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, two emergency funding packages that take important steps to help address the urgent challenges facing our education system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, these new laws provide essential child care services for front line workers that are keeping us safe, as well as paid extended leave for parents and caregivers. For K-12 students, we have enacted increased access to child nutrition programs and far-reaching academic support so that classrooms in cities and in rural America can take advantage of remote learning tools. Finally, for those who enrolled in higher education institutions, these new emergency measures have suspended loan payments and frozen interest on all direct and federally held student loans through September 30, 2020.

As this robust emergency relief is provided to communities in Massachusetts and across the country, there are other forms of help available to you and your loved ones right now:

• If you are in need of food assistance for your children as they remain at home from school, please visit my website and follow me on Twitter for regularly updated information about meal sites currently serving students and families in Massachusetts. You can also click here for an interactive state map provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency that lists the locations of several resources available to the public at this time. Be sure to share this information with your neighbors to ensure that everyone has access to the meals they need. You can also click here if you would like to learn more about signing up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and click here for more information about the Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC).

• The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) has launched a new online application portal to assist residents in applying for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC). Click here to access this application portal.

• Massachusetts is establishing a process to approve child care programs that will serve vulnerable children and the children of families who are essential to the health, safety, and welfare of our communities. Click here for more information and how to apply for assistance.

• Please click here for more information about relief available to college students, recent graduates, and all student loan borrowers.

• The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution have also made a wide range of educational material available on their websites for students of all ages. You can find descriptions and links to Smithsonian Institution resources here, and Library of Congress resources here.

• This Thursday, April 16 at 6:00PM EDT, I will be hosting a Virtual Town Hall with Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital. She will be available to provide best practices as we guide our families through this challenging time and will be taking questions. Here's the call in number: 1 (844) 734-8764

Please also be sure to regularly check my dedicated COVID-19 webpage on my website for new health and public safety information as well as for additional resources as they arise. I promise to keep you updated as this situation evolves and will continue to do everything I can in Congress to protect American families from this virus.

COVID-19 MA Health Connector Resources

HEALTH CONNECTOR COVID-19 RESOURCES & FAQ

The Massachusetts Health Connector is the state’s health insurance exchange or marketplace, which provides access to affordable, quality health insurance for residents and small businesses of Massachusetts. In response to the unprecedented impacts of the coronavirus, the Health Connector continues to serve the residents of the Commonwealth, whether they are existing members or enrolling with the Health Connector for the first time.

For your reference, please find important messages and updates to Health Connector policies in response to COVID- 19 crisis, below, and please visit the Health Connector Website for more information.

LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT

If you face unemployment and thus lose access to your employer sponsored health insurance, the MA Health Connector can be a great resource for you. As incomes are reduced, individuals may benefit from the opportunity to apply for subsidies or compare plans side by side and select a health plan that suits their needs best. Additional health insurance resources can be found at www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/health-coverage- after-a-job-loss-eng.pdf and in Spanish at www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/health-coverage-after- a-job-loss-esp.pdf

Please keep in mind that loss of health insurance coverage (that meets minimum standards) as a result of job loss is considered a qualifying life event (QLE) year-round and will always open a special enrollment period (SEP) for an otherwise eligible resident.

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (SEP) AVAILABLE THROUGH MAY 25th

The Health Connector established a Special Enrollment Period for any otherwise eligible individual who does not currently have health insurance coverage, or may have experienced changes in circumstances, to enroll in health insurance.

Typically, a person who does not have a qualifying life event is only able to enroll in coverage during Open Enrollment, which occurs in the fall. This SEP provides access to health insurance coverage for those individuals who may not have enrolled during Open Enrollment 2020.

Individuals can access the SEP through their on-line account and more information can be found here:

https://www.mahealthconnector.org/massachusetts-health-connector-extends-enrollment-an-additional-30-days- for-uninsured-individuals

IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING INCOME CHANGES

The Health Connector is urging members to make changes to their online application to reflect any changes in circumstances, such as losing a job, reduced hours, or other reduced income.

Many Health Connector members receive state and federal subsidies that make monthly health insurance premiums more affordable. The Health Connector is communicating with members to remind them to return to their online accounts to update their information (income, etc.) as it may result in a lower monthly premium.

Individuals who may not have received financial subsidies previously may be newly eligible for financial assistance to make health insurance premiums more affordable. All members should return to their accounts to report any changes in circumstances.

HELPING YOU STAY IN COVERAGE

The Health Connector has paused terminations or reduction of subsidies that would otherwise result from members not responding to requests for information.

The Health Connector is also taking emergency steps to prevent termination and suspension of health care services for members, currently in delinquency, that have been unable to pay premiums in March and would otherwise have had their April coverage terminated. The Health Connector has created a temporary premium deferral program that allows individual and small employer members to hold off on making premium payments until a later date. The Health Connector is contacting members who are eligible for the premium deferral program in their May premium invoice to inform them of next steps.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MEMBERS

For new members, the monthly 23rd deadline remains critical for plan selection and payment. The Health Connector is unable to make adjustments that would introduce flexibility with respect to this initial enrollment deadline.

For existing members, updates and changes to their information that are submitted after the 23rd will now be honored to take effect on the first of the next month (i.e. change of information submitted on 4/24 – 4/30 will be effective for 5/1). Previously, if a member made an update to their application that changed their subsidy benefit after the 23rd of the month, it would not take effect beginning the next month (i.e. change of information submitted on 4/24 – /30 will be effective for 6/1).

ENSURING COVERAGE FOR COVID-19 RELATED CARE

In accordance with Division of Insurance requirements, all plans issued through the Health Connector are required to cover services for telemedicine and reduced cost-sharing for testing and treatment related to COVID-19. More information regarding the steps the Division of Insurance has taken can be found here.

CALL CENTER ASSISTANCE

New and existing members are encouraged to update their accounts online https://www.mahealthconnector.org/ or call customer service for assistance 1-877-MA-ENROLL(1-877-623-6765) as the four Health Connector Walk-In Centers in Springfield, Worcester, Brockton and Boston have been temporarily closed to support public health.

Navigator and Certified Application Counselors continue to be available, but with limited in-person availability. They have the ability to assist consumers remotely, and individuals should always call first to discuss the best way to access assistance.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Also, please be aware of a coronavirus assessment tool developed by the Baker-Polito Administration available at www.mass.gov/online-health-tool. While this tool should never substitute professional medical advice, testing or treatment, it may help you assess your symptoms and determine your appropriate next steps, including telemedicine screening.

COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources for Individuals

• The Federal agency, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) National Help Line, Disaster Distress Helpline and treatment locators are free services available to help find local options for care

• For Massachusetts residents, you can call the MA Help Line toll free, or the Massachusetts 2-1-1 line or use the 2-1-1 HelpSteps page

• The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health also posted multi-lingual resources for coping with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• For anyone seeking mental health services, NAMI Massachusetts COMPASS provides mental health resource phone hotline and email address.

• The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center hosts COVID-19 specific resources for seeking addiction care.

• Network of Care Massachusetts is a multi-lingual, comprehensive statewide online resource to help anyone find information on mental health and substance use supports and services in their community.

• The Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition COVID-19 Resources page provides information for immigrant communities on various issues.