During the COVID-19 pandemic, states could not take away Medicaid coverage from any residents enrolled in the program. Legislation was enacted to pause the annual review of continued eligibility. As a result, no beneficiaries could lose their Medicaid coverage during the Public Health Emergency.
However, beginning in May 2023, Pennsylvania resumed its Medicaid redetermination process and began disenrolling individuals who no longer meet the eligibility requirements. As a result, large numbers of individuals may lose health insurance coverage. Over the next year, the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that between 7.8 million and 24.4 million people across the country could lose their Medicaid coverage.
During the redetermination process, the county assistance office evaluates your income, assets, residency, and other eligibility criteria for Medicaid to ensure you still meet the thresholds. Because the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency lasted several years, some Medicaid enrollees have not undergone eligibility review since prior to 2020. Others, who may have joined Medicaid during the pandemic, have never been through the renewal process.
Medicaid Renewal: Be Proactive
You may not yet have received any kind of notification regarding whether you remain eligible for Medicaid. However, there are steps you can take to help ensure the county assistance office has the information it needs to evaluate your eligibility and to renew your coverage promptly.
- If you have moved or changed your phone number or email address, reach out to your county assistance office to update your contact information.
- Each state will send out a letter to your mailing address regarding your coverage. Be sure to keep an eye out for this communication in your mailbox and timely respond to any requests for information.
- You may be asked to fill out a Medicaid renewal form. If so, complete the form and return it as soon as possible.
Consider Consulting an Elder Law Attorney
If you are concerned about the effect of the redetermination process on your Medicaid benefits, consider speaking with a certified elder law attorney in your area. This is especially true if you’ve had any life-changing actions such as divorce, marriage, death of a spouse, receiving an inheritance, selling a home or other real estate to name a few. A certified elder law attorney can help you understand whether you will continue to qualify for Medicaid and also what steps, if any, can be taken to maintain your coverage.
