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Gov. Ricketts provides update on Medicaid expansion in Nebraska

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) - Gov. Pete Ricketts provided Nebraskans with an update on the state's efforts to expand Medicaid on Monday.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will begin accepting applications for Medicaid Heritage Health Adult Expansion on August 1, 2020. Benefits will begin on October 1, 2020.

The governor's office said in a press release that the Heritage Health Adult expands Medicaid to lower income Nebraskans ages 19 to 64 who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For 2020, that means an income of about $17,000 per year for a single adult or $36,000 for a household of four.

Medicaid expansion recipients will get benefits that include "physical health, behavioral health, and pharmacy coverage in a comprehensive, coordinated program," the governor's office said in a release.

Benefits are offered through managed care health organizations, also known as Heritage Health Plans. Applicants meeting certain conditions will also be eligible for dental, vision, and over-the-counter medication coverage.

Eligible Nebraskans are able to apply for Medicaid in the following ways:

Online at www.ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov [accessnebraska.ne.gov].

Over the phone by calling ACCESS Nebraska at:

Omaha: (402) 595-1178

Lincoln: (402) 473-7000

Toll Free: (855) 632-7633

TDD: (402) 471-7256

By paper (applications can be downloaded from ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov):

By fax at (402) 742-2351

By email at DHHS.ANDICenter@nebraska.gov

By mail at P.O. Box 2992, Omaha, NE 68103-2992

In person at any DHHS office.