OCYF Webinar ACA and Former Foster Youth

Former Foster Youth Eligibility Youth who at any time on or after their 18 th birthday were in Pennsylvania’s or another state’s foster care system AND were enrolled in Medical Assistance will be eligible beginning Jan. 1, 2014 for Medical Assistance coverage until age 26.

Coverage in former foster care category Youth ages 18 to 21 will be eligible for the full range of benefits available to all children under the Medical Assistance program Individuals age 21 and older will qualify for the most comprehensive level of benefits currently offered to adults enrolled in the Medical Assistance program There are copayments associated with some services for individuals of any age in the former foster care category

What about current foster youth? Current foster youth who leave care at age 18 or older will automatically be enrolled in the former foster care category once paperwork verifying the date they left foster care (CY60) is received by the County Assistance Office (CAO). There will be no break in coverage and this process will require no further action from the youth at that time.

What if a youth left foster care before Jan. 1, 2014? Individuals who are not yet age 26, who were in foster care and enrolled in Medical Assistance at any time on or after their 18 th birthday must: –complete a full health care application and –provide all required documentation including verification of income

What if a youth left foster care before Jan. 1, 2014? To ensure they are considered for eligibility under the former foster care category, individuals must fully answer the questions on the health care application related to former foster care status. Eligibility for other health care coverage categories is determined before placing an individual in the former foster care category.

Annual Renewal Process All individuals enrolled in the former foster care category will be subject to an annual renewal process to verify ongoing eligibility. It is critically important that individuals keep the CAO advised of their current mailing address.

What if a youth was in care out of state? Pennsylvania has elected to cover former foster youth from other states who meet eligibility requirements. They will need to provide verification of –prior placement in foster care, –when they left care, and –if they were receiving medical assistance.

What if a youth was in care out of state? Examples of ways to verify prior out of state placement: Prior court order A letter from an official agency of that state

Who can help obtain required documentation? The youth should contact the Child Welfare Agency responsible for them while they were in foster care. The CCYA where they currently reside can also be a resource to assist in obtaining the required documentation. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain this verification, but if the applicant is unable to, the CAO will assist.

Helpful Resources and Contacts- Page 1 FOR YOUTH AND PROFESSIONALS FEDERAL: To access the federal information source for those seeking insurance through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace visit the following link: Individuals without internet access may call the federal hotline at FOR YOUTH AND PROFESSIONALS PENNSYLVANIA: To complete a COMPASS application and/or find information on health care coverage visit the following link: To complete a COMPASS application by phone or ask questions about health care coverage call the PA Consumer Services Center at To access Pennsylvania’s information source for those seeking insurance through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace visit the following link: and choose the large ACA information icon. To locate the phone number for any county Child Welfare Agency in Pennsylvania, visit the following link: *Under Service Code youth should select “County Children and Youth Agencies”

Helpful Resources and Contacts- Page 2 FOR PROFESSIONALS ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS FORMERLY IN FOSTER CARE IN OTHER STATES: Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance Phone: (717) Director: Mr. Jason McCrea Address:Interstate Compact Office Department of Public Welfare Interstate Compact Unit Hillcrest 2nd FL., PO Box 2675 Harrisburg, PA