The National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative is currently working on a fact sheet on Medicaid expansion, its application to persons with a label “medically frail,” and its application to alternative benefit plans (ABPs). Even with the open enrollment deadline of March 31 approaching, it should be noted that one can enroll in Medicaid any time during the year. However, for those individuals without coverage who think they may qualify for Medicaid, we would encourage them to apply for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace before March 31, 2014. They can then go through the Medicaid portion of the application but they will also have the backup of coverage through the marketplace if it is determined they are not eligible for Medicaid.

So if you are waiting for the Medicaid details to be clear, DO NOT WAIT!!!!! Apply now through the health insurance marketplace.

The NDNRC is an initiative aimed at providing cross-disability information and support to Navigators and other enrollment specialists thereby ensuring people with disabilities receive accurate information when selecting and enrolling in insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. The NDNRC is comprised of seven national disability organizations which represent unique cross-disability experiences. The seven partner organizations are the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD); the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF); the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS); the Arc and United Spinal Association. The NDNRC is funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.