In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) and passed a law that allowed Medicaid members to automatically keep their Medicaid coverage since March 2020, even if these individuals were no longer eligible.
Based on new federal law, continuous Medicaid coverage will end on March 31, 2023.
According to Perryton Health Center Manager, Jerra Lowrey, OGH's representative from Texas Department of State Health Services they should renew before April because last time everyone waited it crashed the system and several patients couldn't be renewed for several months.
HHSC will start to reevaluate eligibility for members who received continuous Medicaid coverage through a process called redetermination.
What you need to know:
You will get a notice in the mail or email (if you signed up to go paperless) from HHSC when it’s time to renew your coverage. The mailed notice will be in a yellow envelope with the words “ACTION REQUIRED” in red. The notice will explain how to verify Medicaid eligibility and will include a form that the member needs to sign and mail back by the due date. Members can also check their online account onthe Your Texas Benefits mobile app, or by calling 2-1-1 and choosing Option 2 after selecting a language.
It's very important to follow through on these instructions or you risk having your coverage canceled.
If you eligibility is confirmed, you can continue your existing coverage. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you can explore the Marketplace (Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan) and Medicare (Wellcare By Allwell) options.