State Medicaid Eligibility Renewal Begins for 2023

Epilepsy News From: Friday, February 10, 2023

Medicaid provides healthcare coverage to millions of Americans and is administered by states, according to federal requirements. Many people with epilepsy also rely on Medicaid to receive the healthcare they need each year.

Medicaid eligibility renewals were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are beginning again soon.

If you are on Medicaid or if your child is in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), your state will likely be reviewing your eligibility. They will begin reviewing as early as February 2023 and will review throughout 2023 depending on your state.

How Do I Know If My Family or I Have Medicaid or CHIP?

Medicaid and CHIP are run by each individual state. As a result, the program has a different name in each state. For example, it’s called MediCal in California, Badger Care in Wisconsin, and Hoosier Care in Indiana. If you aren’t sure if you are on Medicaid, you can look up the name of your state's Medicaid program. From there, you can look up the contact information for your state’s program if you still aren’t sure.

What Do I Need to Do If My Family or I Have Medicaid or CHIP?

  1. Update your contact information. Make sure that your state’s Medicaid program has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your coverage. 
  2. Check your mail. Your state will mail you a letter about your Medicaid coverage. This letter will also let you know if you need to complete a renewal form to see if you still qualify.
  3. Complete your renewal form (if you get one). Fill out the form and return it right away to help avoid a gap in coverage.

I Have Medicare, What Do I Need to Do?

If you just have Medicare, you don’t need to do anything.

If you currently have Medicare Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Plan to help you afford your healthcare costs, you may receive and need to fill out a redetermination form. Follow the steps listed above to make sure that your state has your contact information.

If you’ve joined Medicare since 2020 and lose Medicaid in 2023, you may be eligible for Medicare Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Plan to help you afford your prescription drugs and other health care costs.

My Family and I No Longer Qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, What Should I Do?

Visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to learn about other healthcare options. Many free or low-cost plans are available. If you need help, local assistance is available.

If you have additional questions about this process, please contact the Epilepsy Foundation’s Helpline at 1-800-332-1000 or in Spanish at 1-866-748-8008. You can also contact the Helpline via our online form.

Authored by

Epilepsy Foundation Advocacy

Reviewed by

Kaitlyn Gallagher

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.