“Unwinding” is the process by which states will resume annual Medicaid eligibility reviews after the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends.
With the unwinding of Medicaid, it’s time for many to start getting prepared so they are not left without coverage. First, we need to understand who exactly is at risk of losing their coverage.
Who is at risk of losing coverage?
- Parents or caregivers whose income is above the eligibility limit
- Parents and caregivers whose youngest child turned 18
- Youth who turned 19-20 since the PHE began
In many cases parents of school-aged children who lost their jobs during the pandemic qualified for Medicaid. Now that they are back to work, they will no longer qualify for Medicaid. If they are full-time and their job doesn’t offer benefits, they are also likely to qualify for Marketplace benefits.
What can you do to prepare?
- Make sure DCF has your current mailing address on file because notices of eligibility will be sent by paper mail. This can be done by logging into the ACCESS Account. A Marketplace Navigator can assist with this if you’re having trouble.
- Work with a Marketplace Navigator to consider alternative options such as Marketplace coverage and get an estimate of how much it might cost. This can help families start preparing financially for the change. Marketplace Navigators won’t know what the Marketplace plans will cost for 2023 but we can do a basic projection.
- Be aware that if you lose Medicaid, you will be offered a Special Enrollment Period on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Generally, you have 60 days to enroll after a loss of coverage. So again, it’s important to pay close attention to any correspondence from DCF and to open the mail in a timely fashion.
Even if you’re unsure if you’d qualify, reaching out to a Marketplace Navigator is completely free, and they will be able to determine eligibility.
