Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Lisa Maria Cruz, Medicaid Application Assistance Program coordinator at WNYIL, and I'm your host, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Lisa Maria.
It's our pleasure to have you and I imagine they're probably some people listening that don't realize there's more than one type of Medicaid, and each is a little different. Can you describe the difference?
So, well, there's community Medicaid, and that covers like basic health insurance. So that would cover hospital visits, hospital stays, transportation to appointment and also dental. So that's community and which is like a basic health care coverage.
And then the next level is Medicaid with long term care. And so what that covers, it covers everything that community covers. But then in addition it covers home care aides and also assisted living.
And then the last level is nursing home Medicaid and like the name implies, that would cover nursing home stays.
Of course, what WNYIL is all about helping people avoid long term institutionalization, so I imagine that you have a particular predilection for the first couple times. Also, an obvious question, what is the coverage area of Medicaid that you deal with?
So, our program at WNYIL, we cover Erie County, Niagara County and then Orleans, Wyoming and Genesee counties. So, for Niagara County, we have Mary Collesano, she covers all of Niagara County.
And then for Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming, we have Kathleen McLaughlin. That covers those 3 counties and then for Erie County because it is a bigger county, we have 3 facilitated enrollers and those are Jessica Braggs,
Nakia Lowry and Claire Shroder are the facilitated enrollers for three.
Wow, sounds like you got quite the staff working for you then. Kind of a basic question, since the government has to be convinced that someone is in need of public funds for their care, there are certain income guidelines that change annually. What are the ones for 2024?
Well for a household of one person, the monthly income guideline is $1,732 and then if it's a two-person household, the income guideline is $2,351. But I would encourage people if you are over that, that doesn't mean you can't get Medicaid.
So please still consider applying.
Ah and though like most government programs, Medicaid does require applicants to go through a few hoops. What can your staff, your facilitated enrollers, what can they help people do?
So, our facilitated enrollers focus primarily on Medicaid applications. That is what we do, that's what we're experts at.
So, we help the individual fill out the Medicaid application and then from there it goes to quality review and once they give the go ahead, we drop it off to DSS for the consumer. And then we're also kept advised of the steps that happen along the way, so once the person's approved, we could let them know that they have the Medicaid in place, so it's very important that individuals seek help if they need it. I know that filling out applications can be overwhelming and that's what we're here for.
And just to a quick word for people that don't know, DSS is their county’s Department of Social Services and would you believe we're out of time. If people need to ask questions answered, how can they reach you?
You can call me at 716-836-0822 and then my extension is 331. Thank you for having me on the show, Ernie.
It's our pleasure. You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today has been Lisa Maria Cruz, Medicaid Application Assistance Program coordinator at WNYIL. And I've been your host Ernie Churchwell.