(Statewide) – Thousands of Hoosiers who got their health coverage through Medicaid during the COVID-19 outbreak risk losing it now that the pandemic has ended.
More than 140,000 people in Indiana have been purged from Medicaid rolls as the state rechecks eligibility.
So far, about 120,000 were dropped for failing to comply with procedural requests, and 20,000 thousand are no longer eligible.
Jennifer Walden, a counselor with Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), said it is extremely important to make sure all your information is current with the state Family Social Services Administration.
“Make sure your address is current, your income is current, and your composition is up to date,” she said. “Open your mail; it’s so important that if you get a notice from FSSA that way you’re aware of what they’re asking for and what you need to do so you can stay covered.”
FSSA allows Medicaid enrollees a chance to reapply up to 90 days after getting dropped unless they’ve picked up coverage under the Healthy Indiana Plan.
Marcus Robinson, president of markets for the individual and family plan business for UnitedHealthcare added anyone dropped from Medicaid may discover it is considered “a qualifying life event” which allows eligibility outside the yearly defined enrollment period – like sudden loss of employment, a change in marital status or having a baby.
“There’s a lot of things that go into qualifying for Medicaid – obviously your income, ability or disability status, family size, amongst other things go into the qualification,” he explained. “Each state has different qualifications and eligibility. That process has begun, with redeterminations continuing.”
Moving, a death in the family, or a change in your income are also little-known qualifying events, he said.
(Story by our news-gathering partners at Indiana News Service)
