Cindy's Aunt Irene, the one who now gets home care through Medicaid, nearly lost it all last spring. Not because she stopped qualifying. Because of an envelope.
It came from the state Medicaid office. Irene figured it was another one of those notices she'd been getting for years that didn't need anything from her. So she put it on the pile by the toaster. Six weeks later, a second letter said her coverage would end at the end of the month because she hadn't returned her renewal form. Her home aide would stop coming.
Well, folks, her son caught it with eight days to spare. They got the form in, and her coverage continued. But it was a very scary week, and it didn't have to happen.
Why does Medicaid send renewal letters?
Medicaid checks every year that you still qualify. Sometimes the state can renew you automatically, using information it already has. Other times, it needs you to fill out a form or send proof of your income, savings, or address. If you don't respond by the deadline, your coverage can end, even if you still qualify.
That goes for Medicare Savings Programs too, which many states run through Medicaid. Our guide to Medicare Savings Programs explains those programs, and they need renewing just like full Medicaid.
What should I look for in a Medicaid renewal letter?
In plain words, open every Medicaid letter the day it arrives and find three things. What do they want from you: a form, proof of something, or nothing at all? What's the due date? Circle it and put it on your calendar. And how can you respond: online, by phone, by mail, or in person?
Every state does this a little differently. Virginia's Medicaid renewal page is a good example of how it works: the state renews some people automatically and sends a form to others, with several ways to respond. Check your own state's Medicaid website for your rules.
How do I make sure my renewal goes through?
Here are those habits in words. Keep your address and phone number up to date with the Medicaid office, especially after a move, because letters sent to an old address still count. Respond early instead of waiting for the due date. Keep copies of every page you send. And whenever you call, write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and any confirmation number.
If a document is hard to get, like a bank statement from an old account, call and ask what else they'll accept. Don't just skip it.
What if I missed the deadline or my coverage ended?
Don't give up. Call your state Medicaid office right away. If your coverage ended because paperwork wasn't turned in, federal rules generally give you a window of time, often 90 days, to send it in and have your case looked at again without starting over. Read the notice for your appeal rights and deadlines too.
If the forms feel overwhelming, a free SHIP counselor at shiphelp.org or your local Area Agency on Aging can help. And be careful of anyone who calls you about your Medicaid renewal and asks for personal information. Call the number on your official letter or your state's website instead.
What Irene does now
Irene has a bright red folder on her kitchen counter labeled "MEDICAID, OPEN RIGHT AWAY." Her son put his phone number on the front. Any envelope from the state goes in the folder the day it arrives, and he checks it every Sunday when he visits. Her renewal this year went through in one week. Her aide still comes four mornings a week, and she'd like to keep it that way. You can read how Irene's home care got started in our post on whether Medicare pays for help at home.
Open the envelope, folks. It's the easiest way to keep the help you already have.
Have you been through a Medicaid renewal? Tell us in the comments what made it easier.
