Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP)

Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP)
Division of Medicaid Services
Protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Funeral Director’s Association ConferenceSeptember 27, 2017
Agenda
Overview of Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP)Administrative Streamlining& Processing RemindersDiscussion – Common Provider Concerns
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WFCAP Program Overview
The Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP)pays for funeral, cemetery and crematoryexpenses as the payer of last resort when the estate of Medicaid eligible decedents is insufficient to cover the balance offuneral, cemetery and crematorycosts.Payment isprovided to three types of service providers who may apply for state aid: 1) funeral homes, 2) cemeteries, and 3) crematories.Providers must submit itemized statements of goods and services within 12 months of the date of death, and may appeal payment determinations through the Department of Administration's Division of Hearings and Appeals.
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WFCAP ProgramOverview (Cont.)
Funeralhome providers apply for WFCAP funding based on funeral and burial expenses while cemeteries/crematoriums providers do thesame.Program funding, therefore, generally alignsaccording to provider type
FuneralWFCAP pays up to $1,500Allowable expenses capped at $4,500Provider type: funeral homes
Maximum TotalPayment of$2,500
Cemetery/CrematoryWFCAP pays up to $1,000Allowable expenses capped at $3,500Provider type: cemeteries, crematories
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Program Overview - Eligibility
Upon the death of the decedent, service providers are encouraged to contact WFCAP about potential program eligibility before submitting an application.Actual program eligibility and the amount of payment that may be approved is determined at the time the complete application is processed.Anapplication will not be considered before goods and services are rendered.
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Program Overview - Operation
Over the course of2016, WFCAP program operations fullytransitioned to be administered centrally by the Division of Medicaid Services, Bureau of Fiscal Management.Processing of applications and payments is within 30 days of receipt.We encourage providers to contact us on the status of their paymentonlyif it has been more than 30 days since their receipt of the Notification of Decision (NOD) and payment has not been received.
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WFCAP Expenditure History
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Improving Administrative Processing Time
The Department identified several areas in which providers can assist in improving WFCAP application processing time:Providersshould become familiar with the WFCAP Manualand application requirements byvisiting the WFCAPwebsite.Providers must submit the forms below inorder to receivepayment. Once the forms are received by Fiscal and processed, there is no need to resubmit forms unless there are changes to be made. (For further information on the forms, refer to the August 28, 2017 reminder memo on the WFCAP website.)Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and CertificationDOA-6457: STAR Vendor Information Form
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Processing Reminders
If Section 7 of the WFCAP application isrevised, signatures from both the service provider and the executor or family representative are required in Section 8.WFCAP applications are returned to service providers if the section regarding the declaration of life insurance is not completely filled out.DHS discourages service providers from referring family members to contact WFCAP directly regarding potential eligibility, or application and payment status.Thedate of deathprovided by the service providermust be accurate. If the incorrect date of death is provided, the service provider will be responsible for having the date of death corrected with the county of eligibility.
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Processing Reminders (Cont.)
Funeral homes should always include the Statement of Funeral Goods and Services with the WFCAP application.If a cemetery or crematory submits an application independently from the funeral home, they need to submit their itemized statement along with the application.Ifthe funeral home cash advanced a cemetery or crematory, the WFCAP application needs to be submitted with an itemized, signed invoice from thatprovider.
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Top 3 Common Provider Concerns
Small and Rural!Small and Rural!Small and Rural!
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Questions
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Contact Information
Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids ProgramTelephone: 888-859-0611Fax: 608-266-8317WFCAP Website: DHS.wisconsin.gov/em/wfcap.htmWFCAP Email: DHSWFCAPApplications@wi.govServiceproviders are encouraged tosign up for email notificationsof program updates.
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