Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP)

1. Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP) Wisconsin Funeral Director’s Association Conference September 27, 2017 Division of Medicaid Services Protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin

2. Agenda • Overview of Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP) • Administrative Streamlining& Processing Reminders • Discussion – Common Provider Concerns

3. WFCAP Program Overview The Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program (WFCAP) pays for funeral, cemetery and crematory expenses as the payer of last resort when the estate of Medicaid eligible decedents is insufficient to cover the balance of funeral, cemetery and crematory costs. • Payment is provided 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.

4. WFCAP Program Overview (Cont.) Funeral home providers apply for WFCAP funding based on funeral and burial expenses while cemeteries/crematoriums providers do the same. Program funding, therefore, generally aligns according to provider type Maximum Total Payment of $2,500 Cemetery/Crematory WFCAP pays up to $1,000 Allowable expenses capped at $3,500 Provider type: cemeteries, crematories Funeral • WFCAP pays up to $1,500 • Allowable expenses capped at $4,500 • Provider type: funeral homes

5. 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. • An application will not be considered before goods and services are rendered.

6. Program Overview - Operation • Over the course of 2016, WFCAP program operations fully transitioned 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 payment only if it has been more than 30 days since their receipt of the Notification of Decision (NOD) and payment has not been received.

7. WFCAP Expenditure History

8. Improving Administrative Processing Time The Department identified several areas in which providers can assist in improving WFCAP application processing time: • Providers should become familiar with the WFCAP Manual and application requirements by visiting the WFCAP website. • Providers must submit the forms below in order to receive payment. 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 Certification • DOA-6457: STAR Vendor Information Form

9. Processing Reminders • If Section 7 of the WFCAP application is revised, 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. • The date of death provided by the service provider must 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.

10. 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. • If the funeral home cash advanced a cemetery or crematory, the WFCAP application needs to be submitted with an itemized, signed invoice from that provider.

11. Top 3 Common Provider Concerns • Small and Rural! • Small and Rural! • Small and Rural!

12. Questions

13. Contact Information Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program Telephone: 888-859-0611 Fax: 608-266-8317 WFCAP Website: DHS.wisconsin.gov/em/wfcap.htm WFCAP Email: DHSWFCAPApplications@wi.gov Service providers are encouraged to sign up for email notifications of program updates.