Ohio Medicaid to resume regular eligibility operations and encourages enrollees to update their contact information

by David Miller

As reported in the Ohio Capital Journal, Ohio Medicaid currently provides health care coverage to more than 3.1 million Ohioans and once the federal government declares an end to the Public Health Emergency, Medicaid will resume its normal eligibility review process.

That date is now April 1 and this means that all eligible Medicaid members will have to renew their Medicaid coverage or risk losing it.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) calls it “imperative” that Medicaid members keep their contact information up to date with county departments of job and family services and check their mail and respond to requests for information immediately.

The Journal reported on December 20 that, “Declaring that ‘we have returned to life as normal,’ Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joined 24 other Republican governors in calling on President Biden to let the federally declared Public Health Emergency for COVID expire in April.”

Ohio Medicaid currently has a “COVID-19 Unwinding” website.

“Every state’s match was increased by 6.2% under the first federal COVID-19 relief package, with the caveat that states agree not to kick anyone off Medicaid while the public health emergency is in place, even if their income once again rises above the eligibility limit.” – Ohio Capital Journal.

Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran is encouraging Ohio’s Medicaid members to take necessary steps to ensure continued health coverage for themselves and their families

“Now that the federal government has announced this change, all Ohio Medicaid members will have their eligibility re-determined and if found ineligible, disenrolled from the program for the first time in three years,” said Director Corcoran. “Our goals are to ensure that Medicaid eligible Ohioans will have the tools they need to maintain their healthcare coverage and not risk a gap in service, and that Ohioans no longer eligible for Medicaid can smoothly transition to other affordable healthcare options.”

It is critical that Medicaid members keep their contact information up-to-date and respond to all requests for information. Ohio’s unwinding will occur over a 12-month period of time. Some renewals will be automatic based on extensive data comparisons while other members will receive the usual eligibility packet and work with their county department of job and family services to complete it manually.

In alignment with previous department policy, children under the age of 19 retain their coverage for twelve months from the date of their initial eligibility determination or most recent renewal.

To assist members, providers and stakeholders prepare for this process, the ODM has a dedicated webpage that houses information on the renewal process, key steps consumers should take, key message, frequently asked questions and other additional resources. Individuals are also encouraged to reach out to their county department of job and family services (CDJFS) with any questions or they can use Medicaid’s eligibility tool on the website to check their eligibility status.

Background

In March 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which among other things, provided states with enhanced federal matching dollars for their Medicaid programs. In exchange for these dollars, states were prohibited from disenrolling members from Medicaid, even if they were found to be ineligible. This was to ensure members did not lose vital healthcare coverage during the pandemic. Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December, decoupling the end of the federal public health emergency from the continuous coverage requirement.