ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Pennsylvania residents enrolled in the state's Medicaid program, commonly referred to as Medical Assistance, are being urged to verify their enrollment status prior to impending federal changes that will affect renewals.
- Pennsylvania residents enrolled in the state's Medicaid program are advised to verify their enrollment status before federal changes impacting renewals take effect
- Continuous MA eligibility linked to the public health emergency will end April 1
- MA and Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, recipients are required to complete an annual renewal to confirm their eligibility for coverage
In March 2020, the public health emergency declaration allowed Pennsylvanians to retain Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, coverage even if they didn't complete their annual enrollment package.
However, the new federal law will end the MA eligibility associated with COVID-19.
The public health emergency, and the added benefits, end April 1.
Pre-pandemic eligibility will resume for the Department of Human Services after April 1 which means all MA and CHIP recipients must complete an annual renewal to confirm their eligibility for coverage.
The expiration of continuous coverage will impact the first round of renewals due in March.
Allentown Health Director David Synnamon urged all MA and CHIP recipients to complete their renewal application as soon as possible to avoid a loss of coverage.
Synnamon also said, in a release, that recipients need to keep their contact information up-to-date to receive timely updates about coverage and benefits.
According to the City of Allentown, MA coverage will terminate if an individual is deemed ineligible for their current plan or does not complete the renewal process on time.
Those in Pennsylvania who are no longer eligible for MA will be referred to alternative sources of medical coverage, such as CHIP and Pennie, the state's health and dental insurance marketplace.
More information about the changes and contact information can be found on the state's DHS website.
Those without a computer or mobile access can call the DHS Customer Service Center or visit their local County Assistance Office.
In Allentown, the Lehigh County Assistance Office can be reached at 610-821-6509. The DHS YouTube page also offers instructional videos on downloading and using the myCOMPASS PA app.
