LANSING (WWJ) – Back at the end of March the law that kept hundreds of thousands of Michiganders enrolled in Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic expired, leaving a lot of people unsure whether they'll still qualify for benefits.
During the pandemic those on Medicaid did not have to reapply, thanks to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. But now that it's expired, a fairly complicated application process has resumed.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Thursday joined the Sparrow Mobile Health Clinic today in Lansing to remind Michiganders they'll need to once again complete their Medicaid benefit renewal packets to avoid losing coverage.
For most Medicaid beneficiaries, the renewal process will happen annually. They will receive an awareness letter three months prior to their renewal date, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The renewal deadline is based on the month the beneficiary first enrolled in Medicaid – renewal dates can be checked on the MI Bridges website or by calling the local MDHHS office.
"The changes made to Medicaid at the height of the pandemic allowed millions of families to retain their health coverage," Nessel said, per a press release. "I urge everyone who has Medicaid to submit their renewal forms by the deadline to determine eligibility and maintain this critical benefit."
Eligibility renewals officially began again in June, and MDHHS took the first step to conduct passive renewals for the June cohort, using existing data the state already has. If MDHHS is able to passively renew a Medicaid beneficiary, a notice of no further action required is sent.
But if a Medicaid beneficiary can't be passively renewed, they will get a renewal packet, which should be filled out, signed, and include all requested documentation or proof. The packet should be returned by the designated due date.
Those who do not complete and return renewal paperwork on time may lose Medicaid coverage, according to MDHHS.
Officials are telling everyone to return their paperwork, even if they think they may not be eligible because children in a household may qualify for MiChild even if other members of the household are ineligible. Or some members of a family may qualify for one program but not another. These determinations can only be made if the required paperwork is submitted.
More information on the changes to Medicaid benefit eligibility can be found on the MDHHS website.
