You should be aware that federal law does not allow states that have accepted increased Medicaid funding to terminate Medicaid benefits while the coronavirus health emergency continues. Access to affordable medical care is especially important during a global health crisis.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services has declared a nationwide public health emergency for COVID-19. In light of the public health emergency, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides that if you were enrolled in Medicaid as of March 18, 2020, the state (provided it accepted expanded Medicaid funds during the crisis) cannot terminate Medicaid benefits even if there is a change in your circumstances that would normally cause your benefits to be stopped. The law states that your Medicaid coverage must continue through the end of the month in which the Secretary declares that the public emergency has ended. The only exceptions to this non-termination rule are if you choose to terminate your benefits yourself or you move to another state.
States that already terminated a Medicaid recipient’s benefits should be contacting recipients and encouraging them to reenroll. If the state determined that you were “presumptively eligible” for benefits before March 18, 2020, this rule does not apply to you, and the state may terminate Medicaid benefits if it eventually concludes you are not eligible for benefits. However, if you have coverage because you are appealing a decision of ineligibility that was made before March 18, 2020, the state cannot terminate Medicaid benefits during the health emergency.
For an FAQ about the Medicaid requirements under the law, click here.
Please contact the law offices of R. F. Meyer & Associates us if we can be of assistance in any Medicaid, Medicare, Elder Law or Special Needs Law matter. Reach us by calling 614-407-7900, sending an email to [email protected] or filling our the Contact Us form on our website at ElderLaw.US/Contact.