Page 124

Initially, the public was informed of the premium and benefit change through budget hearings, legislative approval and enactment of the Chapter 157, Statutes of 2009 (Assembly Bill 1422) affecting premiums, and was again informed of those changes through promulgation of regulations in accordance with State law. Promulgation of regulations also entailed public meetings of the MRMIB Board. These benefit changes are described in more detail in Attachment 6. The family contribution amounts increased for the highest income families pursuant to the Chapter 157, Statutes of 2009 (Assembly Bill 1422), which took effect on November 1, 2009. The family contribution increased for families with income greater than 150 % and up to 250% FPL. In addition, benefit changes enacted by regulations increased co-payments for families with incomes greater than 150% and up to 250% FPL. Lastly, pursuant to regulations new families with children enrolled on or after November 1, 2009 will have limited dental plan choice effective November 1, 2009. The dental benefit change aligns the HFP rules with state employees dental benefit rules. In order to provide adequate prior public notice of the family contribution increase, co-payment benefit increase and changes to the applicant’s choice of participating dental plans, the Healthy Families Program took a multi layered approach. Each existing family received advanced notification through an initial 30 day notification letter of the upcoming program change. The HFP included this 30 day notification letter with the September monthly billing invoice regarding the program changes. This notice was sent to all existing subscribers. If any family experienced a change in circumstances and would be impacted by the premium and co-payment increase, they were allowed to request a premium re-evaluation. Premium Re-Evaluation Forms were also posted on the HFP website or families could call the HFP toll free line to receive a pre-filled out form. In addition, the MRMIB website was updated to reflect all program changes and newsletter articles were provided to community partners and stakeholders. The program also took additional steps to ensure adequate public notice of the increase in family contributions and co-payments for higher income families and changes in new applicants’ choice of participating dental plans. For example, enrollment Entities and Certified Application Assistants in the local communities were notified through the monthly newsletter and users of the electronic application were also notified through an electronic online message when logging onto the system. Public Service Announcements were provided on the dedicated toll-free line. Effective Date: Approval Date: November 1, 2009 HFP Family Contribution Increase November 1, 2009 HFP Co-Payment Increase November 1, 2009 HFP Limited Dental Plan Choice for New Subscribers

124