Medical Care Services (previously Disability Lifeline/GA-U) is a state-funded program that provides medical benefits for persons who are physically or mentally disabled and cannot work for 90 days from the date of application.
Community Health Plan of Washington is the managed care organization that provides both medical and mental health services.
For information about the Community Health Plan Medical Care Services Plan, see How to Find Important Information.
For information about the Community Health Plan Mental Health Integration Program for Medical Care Services, please visit the Mental Health Integration Program website.
For more information about eligibility or how to apply for Medical Care Services, see the Washington State website.
Eligibility is determined for Medical Care Services by the Washington State Community Services Office (CSO). To find a CSO nearby, call 1-877-501-2233 or see the State's CSO web site.
Start date into the Medical Care Services managed care program is determined by the date the CSO processes eligibility. It is important to know that you can get medical care through the fee-for-service system while waiting for enrollment into the managed care program.
The Disability Lifeline program ended October 31, 2011 as required by House Bill 2082. All currently active Disability Lifeline enrollees became Medical Care Services enrollees effective November 1, 2011.
Medical and mental health benefits are not affected by this change. Community Health Plan of Washington continues to provide these services for active enrollees.
The Disability Lifeline cash program ended October 31, 2011. However, Medical Care Services clients can apply for toiletries, cleaning supplies, bus passes, and housing assistance through a new program called Housing and Essential Needs (HEN).
Qualified MCS enrollees can use HEN benefits to pay rent on a private apartment, public housing, transitional housing, or to friends or relatives if they pay for a place to sleep.
They can also use HEN benefits to cover utility bills and shelter fees.
They will need to show proof of rent and landlord, or friend or family information. Checks go directly to landlords, including friends and family, or to utility companies.
To find out if you qualify for rent and utility assistance and to request help, please contact your local HEN provider.
If you cannot reach your HEN provider, please contact your social worker at your local Community Service Office for more information and support.
HEN benefits depend on whether funds are available at the time they are requested.
Community Health Plan of Washington ID cards for Disability Lifeline enrollees were updated to say "Medical Care Services." Community Health Plan mails the updated ID cards to new Medical Care Services enrollees if we have a current address. If you do not get your new member materials in the mail, ask your clinic staff to update your records the next time you visit.
For information about the Community Health Plan medical and mental health benefits, see How to Find Important Information.
For more information about Medical Care Services, see:
About Community Health Plan of Washington
Your Enrollment in Medical Care Services
Your Medical and Prescription Benefits
Getting Care Through Medical Care Services
How Community Health Plan Manages Your Care
For more details, see How to Find Important Information: Medical Care Services.
