COVID-related protections for Medicaid are ending; here’s what you need to know

If you have protected Medicaid, which was put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency, your coverage may be ending soon. It’s important to understand your options so you don’t experience a gap in coverage.

Why is protected Medicaid coverage ending?
In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, protections were put in place by the federal government to ensure Americans maintained health coverage. As the situation with COVID-19 has improved, those protections are now set to expire on April 1, 2023.

What is happening in Idaho?
Each state will approach this differently, but for those in Idaho with protected Medicaid coverage, here’s what you need to know.

• The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has already started the process of reevaluating and notifying Idahoans it believes are no longer eligible for Medicaid. This process is expected to continue monthly through the fall of 2023.
• Idahoans will have 60 days from their last day of protected Medicaid coverage to contact DHW and complete the reevaluation process or find other health insurance coverage.
• Idahoans who are no longer eligible for Medicaid but may be eligible for a tax credit will be referred to Your Health Idaho, the state health insurance marketplace, to shop for a new health insurance plan.

More information can be found at YourHealthIdaho.org/End-of-Protected-Medicaid.

What do I need to do?

If you receive a letter from DHW that states you may be losing protected Medicaid coverage, you must take action to complete your eligibility reevaluation. You can complete the reevaluation process at idalink.idaho.gov or over the phone with DHW at 877-456-1233. Remember,you have 60 days to complete this process and, if eligible, enroll in a new health insurance plan.

If you currently have Medicaid coverage and do not receive a letter from DHW over the coming months, your Medicaid coverage is expected to continue.

Where can I find new health insurance coverage?

If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid and are referred to Your Health Idaho, you may qualify for a tax credit to purchase health insurance coverage at a lower cost. You can shop for plans and enroll at YourHealthIdaho.org.