Across the country, Medicaid renewals have resumed. You might hear them called Medicaid redetermination, Medicaid recertification, or Medicaid renewals, but those terms all refer to the same thing. Completing and returning your Medicaid renewal is vital to continuing to receive your care without interruption.
Why do I have to renew my Medicaid coverage?
When the federal government declared a public health emergency around the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, they suspended the annual requirement to renew Medicaid benefits. This meant that people could keep their Medicaid benefits without going through the renewal process every year. In 2023, the public health emergency was declared over, and Congress passed a law requiring states to begin the Medicaid renewal process again.
Medicaid renewal is a federally required process, so your state must determine whether you are still eligible for benefits. Most people who receive benefits have to submit their renewal forms and proof, even if nothing has changed about their situation. If you do not complete and return the renewal forms, you may lose Medicaid coverage even if you are otherwise eligible.
Medicaid Renewal in Michigan
In Michigan, annual eligibility renewals began in June 2023.
- Make sure your address, phone number, and email address are up to date at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.
- Report any changes to your household or income by visiting Michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling your local MDHHS office.
- If you receive a Medicaid renewal packet in the mail, fill it out, sign the forms, and return it by the due date with any proof requested.
Additional resources for Michigan:
- For more information about your options, including purchasing a low- or no-cost health plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace, visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered.
- Michigan Medicaid created a toolkit to help explain your options: StayCovered Toolkit.
- If you have questions about purchasing a health plan on HealthCare.gov, you can visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance, or call the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- For more information about changes to food assistance and Medicaid benefits that were connected to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, visit Michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges.
Medicaid Renewal in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the first cycle of annual eligibility renewals began in April 2023.
- Make sure NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid has your correct mailing address. You can confirm or update your contact information by calling NJ FamilyCare at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711). This is especially important because renewal packets will be sent to the address on file.
- If you receive a Medicaid renewal packet in the mail, fill it out, sign the forms, and return it by the due date with any proof requested. If you issued your due date, you should still complete and return your renewal packet.
Additional Resources for New Jersey:
- If you have questions about purchasing a health plan on HealthCare.gov, you can visit NJ.gov/GetCoveredNJ.
- New Jersey residents who are not yet Medicaid members can apply online at NJFamilyCare.org.
Medicaid Renewal in Ohio
In Ohio, the state is making the first attempt to renew coverage without contacting members. If the state of Ohio is unable to verify your eligibility with available information, a renewal packet will be mailed 30 days before your renewal date. The first batch of annual eligibility renewal letters were sent in February 2023.
- Make sure your contact information is up to date. Let your County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) know if your contact information changes. You can update your name, residential address, mailing address (if different from your home address), phone number, and email address by logging on to benefits.ohio.gov or by calling 1-844-640-6446.
- Check your mail and respond to renewal packets and requests for information from your CDJFS. If you get a letter telling you to renew, or that your CDJFS needs more information, be sure to respond right away.
Additional resources for Ohio:
- If you’re notified that you are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage, it is considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), allowing you to enroll in a Marketplace plan even outside of the normal Open Enrollment Period. If you need help clarifying your options, contact GetCoveredOhio.org or call 1-833-628-4467 for assistance.
- Your child may be eligible for Medicaid coverage even if you are no longer eligible. For more information, contact your CDJFS.
Medicaid Renewal in Texas
In Texas, the first cycle of annual eligibility renewals began in April 2023. These were sent by mail or email, depending on whether you signed up to be paperless.
- Make sure your contact information is current and accurate by visiting YourTexasBenefits.com or logging into the Your Texas Benefits mobile app
- If you receive a Medicaid renewal packet in the mail or email, complete and return it promptly by the listed due date. Texans can submit their renewal packets in several ways:
- Complete it online at YourTexasBenefits.com
- Mail it to Texas Health and Human Services
- Fax it to 877-447-2839.
- Call 2-1-1 and choose Option 2 after picking a language.
- Visiting a local office or community partner. Find an HHSC office or community partner.
Additional Resources for Texas:
- For in-person assistance, there are Medicaid Renewal Events scheduled in several Texas cities. See the schedule on this Texas HHS webpage.
Watch out for Medicaid renewal scams
There have been reports of scammers taking advantage of people’s worries over this Medicaid renewal process to defraud Medicaid members. Warning signs that a message or call is from a scammer include:
- Asking for personal information, including social security number, Medicaid ID, and bank account information.
- Threatening you with civil or criminal penalties.
- Demanding that you pay a fee to continue receiving Medicaid benefits.
Changes to Medicaid (or to any insurance benefits) can be scary. Give yourself the best chance of a smooth, successful Medicai renewal by completing and returning your renewal packet right away.
