You may have heard reports that some health care providers are refusing to accept Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance (CAMA) coupons because they believe CAMA is out of money. This broadcast is intended to provide you with accurate information so that you can respond to inquiries you may get from a CAMA recipient who has difficulty with a provider reluctant to accept their CAMA coupon.---
The amount of CAMA funds available on a given day for reimbursing providers varies. Recently, some CAMA providers received a notice that their payment is being delay (not denied) because their claim was received on a day in which adequate funds were not available. A few providers have chosen not to accept CAMA coupons as a result. Most of those providers have been contacted and have agreed to continue accepting CAMA patients. Provider payments that were initially delayed will be paid by the end of January.
The Division of Medical Assistance has a regulatory obligation to reimburse providers for covered services rendered to CAMA recipients. Letters are being sent to all active CAMA providers explaining the current funding situation and reassuring them that their claims for reimbursement will be honored.
Fluctuations in the amount of money available for CAMA are due, in part, on the processing of what we call