States are required by law to reassess who is eligible for coverage. (Photo: Commonwealth Care Alliance)
Since March 2020, states have been required to provide continuous Medicaid coverage to enrollees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The law incentivized states to halt all disenrollments from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), even if people became ineligible.
States are required by law to reassess who is eligible for coverage.
As a result, states will begin the renewal process for all Medicaid and CHIP enrollees. Some people will be automatically renewed, while others must fill out a renewal form, depending on how much information the state already has.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has mandated that states unwind the continuous enrollment provision and begin the renewal process for all enrollees over the next year.
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States are required by law to reassess who is eligible for coverage. (Photo: Insular Life)
CMS requires states to use the available information to determine whether enrollees are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP coverage. If you’re still eligible, your Medicaid will automatically renew, and you will continue to receive benefits.
However, if your state requires more information from you to determine your eligibility, they will first attempt to send you a renewal message in the mail. As a result, you should ensure that your state has your current contact information and address.
You will have at least 30 days to submit documents if they are required for your renewal and you are enrolled based on your income. Other enrollees who must submit documents will be given a “reasonable amount of time” to do so.
If your state finds you ineligible, you will be notified at least ten days before your Medicaid coverage is terminated or reduced. This allows you to challenge your eligibility and determination before your state changes your coverage.
The state determines the status of your renewal because each state handles its own Medicaid and CHIP programs differently.
If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to purchase a health plan for less than $10 per month through the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you will enter a particular enrollment period to change healthcare plans.
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