State to host hearing on plan for “dual eligibles”

By Chelsea Conaboy, Globe Staff

The state Health and Human Services department will take comments during a public hearing tomorrow on its plan to overhaul health care for people who are enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare.

The plan affects about 109,000 people in Massachusetts who are poor and disabled and between the ages of 21 and 64, including people with mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, and development disabilities. They are often referred to as “dual eligibles.”

Navigating the two programs can be confusing for patients and physicians alike. The state wants to enroll the group in a network of providers that would receive one payment to provide all services to a patient, including medical and emergency dental care and support services.

The hearing will start at 10 a.m. in conference rooms 2 and 3 in the state transportation building at 10 Park Place in Boston.

The plan must be reviewed by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. If approved, the state has said enrollment could begin in January 2013.