Once the federal government declares the end of the PHE, the eFMAP will go away and states will once again resume normal eligibility operations which will result in some Medicaid members being disenrolled from the program.
The Ohio Department of Medicaid has materials and templates on its website to help prepare Medicaid members for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and any actions they need to take. The toolkit is for anyone who interacts with Medicaid members, including health care providers, advocates, elected officials, community organizations, schools and others. It includes a flyers, social media and text messages, and more.
COVID-19 Unwinding
The materials and templates included below are the best way for you to help prepare Medicaid members for the end of the public health emergency (PHE) and any actions they need to take. Updated September 16, 2022.
Overview
In March 2020, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) made a number of operational changes to its Medicaid program in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). This included taking advantage of the flexibilities offered to states such as increasing service limits for home- and community-based waiver services, expanding telehealth, and adding Health Care Isolation Centers (HCIC) as a nursing facility benefit to name just a few. Additionally, with the passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the federal government provided states with an enhanced federal matching rate (eFMAP) of 6.2%. In exchange, 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.
Once the federal government declares the end of the PHE, the eFMAP will go away and states will once again resume normal eligibility operations which will result in some Medicaid members being disenrolled from the program.
While some renewals can be completed without a need to contact the member, some renewals will require members to respond to mail from their County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS).
It is imperative that Medicaid members ensure their contact information is up to date, watch for mail from their CDJFS, and respond to requests for information. If members do not respond to renewal letters or requests for information, they run the risk of losing their healthcare coverage, even if they are still eligible.
Key Messages
The materials and templates included in this toolkit are the best way for you to help prepare Medicaid members for the end of the public health emergency (PHE) and any actions they need to take. If you prefer to create your own communications, use the following key messages to ensure the information you share is simple, direct, and accurate.
You will receive another Partner Packet with updated messaging and materials for continued outreach to Medicaid members after the PHE ends.
If they don’t already have one, Medicaid members are strongly encouraged to create an Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal (SSP) account as soon as possible at https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov. This is the most convenient way for Medicaid members to complete a renewal or report any changes to their information. Through their SSP account, members can also easily check the status of their benefits.
Update their contact information. Any time a Medicaid member’s information changes, they should let their County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) know. Make sure the CDJFS has their current contact information. Contact information includes: name, residential address, mailing address (if different from home address), phone number, and email address.
Medicaid members can update their contact information by:
Calling 1-800-324-8680. Help is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET.
Reporting changes online. Members with an existing Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal (SSP) account can report changes online at https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov. After logging in, they should click the Access my Benefits tile, then click Report a Change to my Case from the drop down and follow the prompts.
Contacting their County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS). Ohio Medicaid members can find their CDJFS by selecting their county from the dropdown at https://medicaid.ohio.gov/home/update-contact-info/select-county-dropdown.
Checking their mail. The CDJFS mails letters to members when it is time to renew or when Medicaid needs more information from them to continue their healthcare coverage. Members should watch for mail from their CDJFS.
Responding to requests for information. If members get a letter telling them it is time to renew, or that their CDJFS needs more information, they should be sure to respond. Their CDJFS needs to hear from them to review their Medicaid eligibility.
Other important messages:
In-person help is available to Medicaid members at their County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS). They can find their CDJFS by selecting their county from the dropdown at https://medicaid.ohio.gov/home/update-contact-info/select-county-dropdown.
If a Medicaid member has been notified they no longer qualify for Medicaid, they may be able to buy low-cost health coverage through the federally facilitated Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. If they need help understanding their options, trained, licensed healthcare Navigators are available at no cost to them. Contact Get Covered Ohio for free, unbiased assistance. Go to www.getcoveredohio.org or call 1-833-628-4467. Navigators can help in-person, online, or over the phone.
Medicaid members can ask to be represented by someone of their choosing to serve as their proxy in the application and renewal processes and decisions regarding their Medicaid coverage. These member-selected individuals serve as an “authorized representative” and must be age 18 or older and able to stand in their place. Members are asked to submit a written statement naming the authorized representative and the duties he or she may perform on the member’s behalf. The form to designate an authorized representative may be found on the Ohio Medicaid website. With this authorization, all notices and correspondence issued by Medicaid will be issued to both the member and the authorized representative.
