Important Changes Coming to Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

 #AdvocacyMatters Segment

Important Changes Coming to Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility

Do you or a family member currently have health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)? If so, you may need to take steps to find out if you can continue your coverage.

In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily waived Medicaid and CHIP requirements and conditions. This action eased rules and helped to prevent people with Medicaid and CHIP from losing their health coverage during the pandemic. States are now allowed to restart Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews. Some organizations estimate that up to 15 million people could lose their Medicaid or CHIP coverage through the eligibility renewal process.

What can be done?

We need to encourage individuals on Medicaid and CHIP to take all the necessary steps to go through the eligibility renewal process and transition to other health coverage if they are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.

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There are three steps that are extremely important.

First, make sure your contact information is up to date. If your contact information has changed since your enrollment, you will need to update your contact information with your State Medicaid or CHIP programs. Program officials need a current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information to send you the renewal application.

Second, check your mail. State Medicaid and CHIP program offices will mail a letter about current coverage along with a renewal form.

Finally, complete the renewal form right away to help avoid a gap in Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

If you need to find your State Medicaid or CHIP office, visit, disabilityrightspa.org and click on today’s #AdvocacyMatters segment. We have a link to find your Medicaid or CHIP office.

Links

Medicaid and CHIP State Offices

https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/beneficiary-resources/index.html