Medicaid Renewal Preparedness is Key to Maintaining Coverage

By Senior Public Relations Specialist Tara Carey

Customer-owners can meet with Family Health Resources during visits at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center.

Medicaid eligibility renewals returned to the regular annual review process April 1. This impacts community members who qualified for Medicaid while federal provisions were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. To limit gaps in health coverage, being prepared can give your family time to consider your options and take action. Medicaid renewal preparedness starts with making sure your contact information is current and by opening and responding to all mail from the Alaska Division of Public Assistance.

Renewal dates will vary for families, and renewals will be processed in batches throughout the year and into 2024. Typically, annual renewals occur around the anniversary of when coverage began.

DPA recommends the following to be ready for Medicaid renewals:

• Update your contact information using the online Medicaid information update form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/ r/25NKQW2) or by calling the Medicaid Information Hotline at (883) 441-1870.
• Check your mail for important information about your coverage.
• If renewal forms are received by mail, fill out and return the forms.

Some recipients will be able to renew automatically if their information is available and can be confirmed electronically. For those who qualify for the electronic renewal process, information about their Medicaid status will be mailed.

Those whose coverage cannot be automatically renewed will be contacted by DPA to provide more information about their eligibility. If a renewal form is needed, there will be a specified time frame to complete and submit the form, generally 30 days, so it is important to continue to look for updates in the mail. If you do not submit the form on time, there is the risk of losing coverage.

During the renewal period, you will receive a notice from DPA on your renewal status and options to pursue if you are no longer eligible. After the renewal process is complete, DPA will send notice of when enrollment ends, information on how to appeal if coverage is lost, and information about buying other health coverage on HealthCare.gov.

Southcentral Foundation Family Health Resources is committed to assisting customer-owners and community members through their Medicaid renewal and application. FHR is participating in community events to share information about maintaining health coverage, conduct eligibility screenings for different health coverages, and assist with health insurance applications and renewal processes. Look for FHR at the ANMC health fair at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, and follow SCF on Facebook to learn about other community events FHR will be at.

Customer-owners and community members can visit FHR in the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center or call (907) 729-4470 to make an appointment with the team located at the Chugach Square Mall.

For more information about Medicaid renewals, visit health.alaska.gov/dpa or call Southcentral Foundation Family Health Resources at (907) 729-4470 in Anchorage or (833) 729-4470 toll-free.