[NFB-NM] FW: Medicaid recertifications starting up again

[Tara Chavez]

This message is from Ellen Pinnes and The Disability Coalition.   

       

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During the covid-19 public health emergency (PHE), federal law required states to keep Medicaid enrollees covered in the program and not to do the reviews and recertifications that are usually done to make sure that people still meet the eligibility requirements.  But the PHE is coming to an end and states are going back to the old processes to confirm that people meet those requirements.  Those who aren’t eligible any more will lose their Medicaid coverage.  And that could also happen if people don’t do what’s necessary to show that they’re still eligible, so if you have Medicaid coverage, keep reading for information on keeping it.  (If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, other coverage options are available – see later in this message.)

 

Step 1 is to make sure that the Human Services Department (HSD) has accurate contact information for you.  If they don’t, you may not get the notices they send about your renewal – and that could mean losing Medicaid even if you still qualify.  So go to the HSD website at Yes New Mexico (https://www.yes.state.nm.us) and make sure they have your current contact information.

 

For some people, that’s all you’ll need to do.  If HSD has enough information to confirm that you’re eligible without asking you for more, they’ll send you a notice that your coverage has been renewed.  For example, if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your Medicaid will be renewed automatically.

 

But if HSD can’t renew based on information they already have, you’ll move on to Step 2:  watch out for the notice they’ll mail to you when it’s time for YOU to renew.  It will come in a turquoise-colored envelope so that it will catch your eye and you’ll know it’s not junk mail.

 

Remember, renewals won’t happen for everyone on Medicaid all at once – they’ll be spread out over about a year.  So you may have already gotten your turquoise envelope (or your notice that your Medicaid has been renewed by HSD) or get it soon, but it could be a while before you receive it.

 

When you get that turquoise envelope telling you it’s time for your renewal, Step 3 is to go to the YES New Mexico website ( <http://www.yes.state.nm.us> www.yes.state.nm.us) to complete the renewal process online.  (Renewal can also be done by mail, phone or fax, but it will take longer to process.)  If you have questions, you can call HSD at 1-800-283-4465 or use the chat function on the Yes NM website.

 

Some people who have kept their Medicaid coverage during the PHE won’t be eligible anymore and will lose Medicaid when it’s their time to renew.  But there are other options to get low-cost health coverage if you don’t qualify for Medicaid anymore.  Here are some places to look:

 

            1) Check out what’s available through the state’s health insurance exchange, BeWellNM (www.BeWellNM.com <http://www.BeWellNM.com> ).  Financial help is available and you may be able to get an insurance plan with a very low monthly premium.  Help with out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services may also be available.  And New Mexico has a new Medicaid Transition Premium Relief Program to help you make the move from Medicaid to BeWell coverage:  the state will pay your first month’s premium!

 

            2) If you lose Medicaid and don’t qualify for a BeWellNM plan, you can check out the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool.  Call 1-844-728-7896 for more information and enrollment assistance. 

 

            3) If you're losing Medicaid because you're employed and earning too much to qualify, you may be able to get affordable coverage through your job.  Check with your boss or with the company's Human Resources Department. 

 

HSD has set up an It’s Time to Renew! webpage specifically for information connected with the renewal process now that the covid-19 PHE is ending:  https://renew.hsd.nm.gov/.  It’s got lots of information, helpful videos, links to other resources, and contact information for HSD and BeWellNM, so take a look.

 

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Tara Chavez, President

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

 <mailto:NFBNM.President at gmail.com> NFBNM.President at gmail.com

(505) 328-3349

Live the life you want.

 <http://www.nfbnm.org/> www.nfbnm.org

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

 <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org

 

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