Q&A: Thousands of Alaskans on Medicaid could lose coverage in the coming months. Here's what to know. [Anchorage Daily News, Alaska]
Currently, around one in three Alaskans is enrolled in Medicaid, the country's largest public insurance program. Recipients include eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults and people with disabilities. States administer the program, which is funded jointly by states and the federal government.
The process could result in thousands of Alaskans being dropped from the program over the next 12 months, though exactly how many isn't yet clear.
We've compiled a guide for Alaskans who are enrolled in the state's Medicaid programs who may be wondering what's changing, how their eligibility will be redetermined by the state, and what to do if they're dropped from the program.
What's changing this month, exactly?
An annual renewal process, which was paused during the pandemic, restarted
Officials in
Under a provision in the federal health emergency that began in
Between
In
When and how will the state be reviewing Medicaid eligibility?
While the state's
Their plan involves dedicating a team of eligibility technicians to the renewal process and slowly increasing the number of renewals they process each month.
That means that each month over the next year, somewhere between 10,000 and 30,000 Alaskans currently enrolled in the program will have their Medicaid eligibility redetermined by the state.
That will happen either automatically or manually via an online state database search that takes into account income and other personal information.
Alaskans whose eligibility cannot be verified with that database search will receive a packet in the mail from the state requesting additional information to help the state confirm their eligibility.
State health officials have said that there's no way to know for sure when exactly someone's application will be reviewed, or whether they're eligible for automatic renewal.
They're urging Alaskans on Medicaid to check their mail regularly for correspondence from the state, and to update their contact information with the state if their address has changed at all in the last three years.
Wing-Heier with the
"Unfortunately, the onus is on the recipient to enroll and if we cannot contact them, or they do not act, they will lose their Medicaid or not be enrolled in the individual market if they no longer qualify for Medicaid," she wrote.
Alaskans can update their contact information online or by calling the state's Medicaid Information Update Hotline, 1-833-441-1870, which is staffed by a team dedicated to process contact information changes and was established to reduce wait times through the virtual call center.
How do I find out if I'm still eligible for Medicaid?
Alaskans whose gross household income is at or below certain percentages of the federal poverty level -- which varies based on household size -- may be eligible for the program. You can use the state's online eligibility screening tool to calculate whether you qualify based on income.
Alaskans with certain disabilities, who are pregnant or who fit a few other extenuating circumstances have distinct eligibility requirements.
If you're having trouble, you can dial 211, or 800-478-2221, or visit 211 s website to ask for a free appointment with a health care navigator who can help you determine whether you're still eligible. Those appointments can happen in person in
[State proposes repealing a longstanding law meant to hold down
I don't think I'm eligible for Medicaid anymore. What should I do, and how can I prevent a gap in coverage?
Alaskans who believe they may no longer be eligible for Medicaid can still "get their ducks in a row" before they are dropped from the program, said
That can mean checking with an employer to see what employer-sponsored health insurance is an affordable option, or what the cost might be for plans through the Affordable Care Act federal marketplace.
Straight said that Alaskans who are worried they may be dropped from Medicaid should reach out to 211 and its health care navigators as soon as possible to help them explore what their options are.
Alaskans without job-based health insurance programs -- or who have options through their employer that aren't affordable -- are eligible for tax credits through the federal marketplace. A navigator can help them weigh their options.
"I think we're kind of concerned that people will think that they don't have another option (besides Medicaid)," Straight said. "Our mantra always is, it doesn't cost anything to check it out. You might be surprised by how affordable it is."
What do I do if I get dropped from the program?
If the state determine that someone is no longer eligible for Medicaid, that person will receive a notice at least 10 days before their coverage will end informing them of the state's decision, according to
If affordable workplace coverage is available to someone, losing Medicaid coverage entitles Alaskans to a special enrollment period of 60 days, Straight said.
If someone loses Medicaid coverage and needs to get coverage through the health insurance marketplace, from now through
Most marketplace plans begin the 1st of the next month, so signing up within a few days of receiving the notice of Medicaid ineligibility is the best way to avoid a gap in coverage.
Health care navigators can help people in this situation, too, Straight said.
What if I think the state made a mistake?
Alaskans who think they're eligible for Medicaid but are dropped anyway have the right to a fair hearing, which is a review of a decision made by the state. Information about requesting a fair hearing will be sent to those who lose coverage, and information about the process is available online.
Alaskans are also able to seek legal help with the fair hearing process by reaching out to Alaska Legal Services, a nonprofit that provides free assistance to low-income Alaskans in need. The intake number is 1-888-478-2572, or applications for assistance can be filled out online.
It sounds like the division will be really busy with all these renewals and the backlog. Will this impact how quickly they're able to process new Medicaid applications?
The state says it has a goal of processing new Medicaid applications within 45 days, which is a federal requirement, according to health department spokeswoman
In recent months, the state has fallen short of meeting that timeline.
The state
Those delays have resulted in Alaskans waiting six months or more for their applications to be processed, and have triggered a lawsuit and a sharp federal warning.
In order to make it feasible do all three things at once -- work through the benefits backlog, complete Medicaid renewals and handle new applications -- the state has said it has a plan that involves hiring more staff and dedicating a separate team of workers to each task.
"We have tremendous support from the governor and the commissioner's office," Etheridge said. "We're bringing on new staff as fast as we can. And we have a plan."
Resources
--To reach an eligibility technician with the state to check on the status of an application or with other questions, the Virtual Call Center number is 1-800-478-7778. Wait times have been lengthy amid the backlog, but callers have the option to leave their number for a same-day callback.
--To update your contact information with the state, you can visit their online form or call the Medicaid Information Update Hotline, 1-833-441-1870, which is staffed by a team dedicated to process contact information changes and was established to reduce wait times through the virtual call center.
--For a free appointment with a health care navigator who can help you determine if you're still eligible for Medicaid -- and what your options are if you're not -- dial 211, or 800-478-2221, or visit the
--To check your eligibility for Medicaid, visit state's online eligibility screening tool: https://aries.alaska.gov/screener.
--Alaskans who think they're eligible for Medicaid but are dropped anyway have the right to a fair hearing, which is a review of a decision made by the state. Information about requesting a fair hearing will be sent to those who lose coverage.
Correction: This story has been updated to remove an incorrect phone number and incorrect links for finding more information about requesting a fair hearing on Medicaid eligibility determinations, and information from Alaska Legal Services has been added to this article.
___
(c)2023 the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska)
Visit the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska) at www.adn.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Chubb Appoints Annmarie Camp North America Business Development Leader
Son testifies against mother in homicide case
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News