HELENA — During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government directed everyone enrolled in state Medicaid programs to remain enrolled until the public health emergency is over. Now, as of April 1st, that policy has expired. For the first time in years, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is determining whether people can continue on Medicaid.
DPHHS Human and Community Services Division Administrator Jessie Counts said: “We hope it will be a supportive process for our members as we go through this.”
Over the next 10 months, DPHHS staff will evaluate all members of the Medicaid and Health Montana Kids Program to see if they meet the participation requirements. By early next year, all participants in the program will receive a letter informing them that they have been automatically renewed or that they need to provide more information.
There are a number of reasons why someone might be disqualified from the program, Counts said, but one of the most common reasons is income exceeding the eligibility threshold.
Management says it’s important for people to update their contact information to ensure they receive update packets.You can do it on your website apply.mt.gov Or call the DPHHS Public Assistance Helpline at 1 (888) 706-1535.
“Everything we send is delivered by email,” says Counts. “We’ve made a lot of efforts to get as many correct addresses as possible, but the best thing people can do to prepare themselves at this point is to make sure they get the correct information.”
Recipients can also create an account at apply.mt.gov. After April 10th, account holders will be able to see the month in which the re-evaluation will occur. They can expect to receive paperwork from DPHHS in the month before that.
The number of people using Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids increased steadily during the public health emergency, from 277,301 in January 2021 to 322,061 in January 2023. DPHHS does not predict how many people in Montana will be uninsured, Count said.
“Since March 2020, a lot has changed for many Montanas, so we can’t speculate about those cases,” she said. “Instead, we will consider it on a case-by-case basis at the time we make a redetermination.”
Anyone who receives a packet asking for more information must respond within 30 days. If you do not complete the redetermination paperwork by the deadline, your coverage will be terminated.
If someone is set to lose coverage, the state partners with Cover Montana to help prepare for the next step.Cover Montana is a network of organizations, including the Montana Primary Care Association, that helps people help people understand and connect with health insurance options.
Director Olivia Liutta said she has already received questions about the change.
“We have a face-to-face team, we have a phone team ready and able to help people understand this process, and for those who are losing Medicaid coverage due to over-earnings, I Our team is ready to help. They know where to get insurance. HealthCare.gov,” she said.
Liutta said those who had Medicaid before COVID may be familiar with the redetermination process, but it will be new to many who have been in the program since.
“We’re answering a lot of questions about the process now, so people understand what they can do to prepare,” she said.
Riutta encouraged anyone who could create an account at apply.mt.gov to do so. She said that in addition to finding redetermination months, people can get copies of notices more quickly and complete paperwork online.
to find local help in your area. covermt.orgYou can also call the Cover Montana Helpline at 1 (844) 682-6837.
“We do as much as someone needs,” Liutta said. “Sometimes I just answer questions, other times I sit down with someone and walk them through the entire application and registration process. spend a lot of time.”
Counts said if someone’s Medicaid benefits ended because the department couldn’t get them, they could reapply if they still believed they were eligible. increase.
Regression to annual revaluation is not the only change. DPHHS also plans to implement new rules at the state level that were put on hold while redetermination was suspended. Montana had previously approved a Medicaid recipient’s coverage to continue for her one year. Currently, the department will revalidate most recipients’ eligibility later this year if they report a change such as moving house, getting married or divorced, someone joining or leaving the household, or a change in income.
