The West Virginia
Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Bureau for Medical Services
(BMS) reminds members and providers that the distribution of an annual Medicaid
card for members, as opposed to a monthly card, will take effect on April 1,
2015. This move is expected to save West Virginia $2.5 million a year.
“This change is
significant for both the Medicaid member and provider,” said Cynthia Beane,
Acting BMS Commissioner. “In the future, Medicaid members will have an
insurance card similar to private insurance cards. More importantly, this
change from monthly to annual cards will significantly reduce costs to the
State.”
For the first year of
use, the Medicaid card will be printed on paper. BMS and DHHR’s Office of
Management Information Services will consider alternative forms for future
years.
New cards will be
issued in January of each year. If a member loses or misplaces their card, the
member can receive a duplicate card by contacting a case worker at their local
DHHR office, by calling the DHHR Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212 or
by going online to www.wvmmis.com
for a Letter of Creditable Coverage. The Letter of Creditable Coverage
is valid for the day it is printed.
Beane reminds medical
providers to verify their patient is still a Medicaid member by either going
online to the provider portal at www.wvmmis.com or calling
1-888-483-0793.
Media Contact: Allison C. Adler, Director of Communications, WVDHHR: allison.c.adler@wv.gov or (304) 558-7899