Make sure to take these steps to avoid losing your Medicaid coverage!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress required that states keep Medicaid recipients continuously enrolled through the end of the public health emergency. Due to the economic downturn from the pandemic and this provision that prohibited states from disenrolling people from coverage, Medicaid enrollment increased drastically from 23.3 million in February 2020 to nearly 95 million in March 2023. Now that the public health emergency has expired, states are beginning the process of unwinding the continuous enrollment provision and disenrolling people who are no longer eligible for Medicaid. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that between that between 5.3 million and 14.2 million people will lose Medicaid coverage during the 12-month unwinding period. If you are currently enrolled in Illinois Medicaid, read below to understand the redetermination process and take steps to ensure that you remain covered!
What is redetermination?
Redetermination is the process when the state Medicaid programs confirm that people are still eligible to receive Medicaid coverage. This process usually happens once a year, but because of the continuous enrollment provision, it has not happened for the last 3 years. That means if you gained access to Medicaid during the pandemic, this may be your first redetermination period.
How does redetermination work?
Medicaid recipients will receive a letter in the mail from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services about 30 days prior to the deadline to renew coverage. This letter will explain if you need to complete paperwork or if you have been renewed for another year. People who need to complete paperwork will receive the Medical Benefits Renewal Form in the mail. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible, as failure to complete the form by the due date could result in termination of Medicaid coverage.
What is the redetermination timeline?
Illinois will start mailing out redetermination paperwork in early May 2023 with the first renewal due date being June 1, 2023. Not all Medicaid recipients will have the same renewal due date, with approximately 1/12 of all Medicaid members being up for redetermination each month between May 2023 and April 2024. Medicaid members will receive their paperwork about 30 days prior to their renewal deadline date. If you miss your renewal date, you should still try to submit your renewal paperwork! If you are not more than 90 days late, there’s a chance you’ll still be able to renew coverage without having to reapply with a completely new application.
How can I prepare for redetermination?
Since paperwork is sent through the mail, it is imperative that Medicaid members ensure that their mailing address is up to date with the state. You can update your mailing address online at www2.illinois.gov/hfs/address or by calling 1-800-843-6154. You can also go online to check when your redetermination due date is by creating an account for “Manage My Case” at https://abe.illinois.gov. Your redetermination renewal date will be in the “Benefit Details” section about one month before your due date. If it is time to renew your benefits, you will see a “Renew My Benefits” button on your “Case Summary” page. You can also opt in for email alerts and reminders about renewal through the “Manage My Case” portal under the Account Management tab.
How can I get additional help?
For patients at Howard Brown, you can call 773.388.1600 and ask for an appointment with Benefits Navigation team. You can also send an email to insuranceenrollment@howardbrown.org or ask front desk to schedule you an appointment. For your convenience, insurance navigation appointments are offered over the phone!
You can also call the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services at 1.800.843.6154 or you can message them directly through the “Manage My Case” portal.
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