Medicaid’s temporary pandemic rules have ended as of April 1 which will mean termination of coverage for millions of Americans in the coming months.
Medicaid, the government-provided health insurance that an estimated 85 million Americans are on, is a means-tested program. In order to qualify for Medicaid, there are specific resource and income rules that determine eligibility (which vary depending on the category an applicant falls under). Generally, for a Medicaid recipient under 65 years old, if he or she begins to earn more than the income limit, Medicaid would cut coverage. If a Medicaid recipient over 65 years old or disabled acquires more resources than the Medicaid limit, he or she would also see their coverage cut. These rules were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, and coverage was prohibited from being cut for any Medicaid recipient that had Medicaid prior to March 2020 regardless of a change in income or resources. In addition, during the pandemic, a new Medicaid applicant was allowed to “attest” to their resources or income without necessarily providing supporting documentation, which made it much easier, and sometimes, incorrectly, adding such applicants to the Medicaid rolls.
States are not all starting the disenrollment process at the same time but if you believe you or a loved one are at risk of getting cut, it is best to seek advice immediately to ensure that you are not left without coverage.
This may be particularly devastating for those with health conditions, and seniors who are receiving home health care or residing in nursing homes with Medicaid coverage.
It is crucial that Medicaid recipients update their contact information on record with Medicaid to ensure that they receive notices regarding their Medicaid coverage and have ample opportunity to either recertify their Medicaid or make other health insurance arrangements without a surprise drop in coverage.
If you or a loved one are a Medicaid recipient receiving long-term care, (Community Care or Nursing Home care), and believe you may be at risk of losing your coverage, you should seek a consultation with an elder law attorney to review your situation and determine the best strategy to ensure no disruption in coverage.
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