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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=contentpasted0><i><span style='color:black'>This message is from Ellen Pinnes and The Disability Coalition. </span></i></span><span class=contentpasted0><span style='color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=contentpasted0><span style='color:black'> </span></span><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'> </span></span><span class=contentpasted0><span style='color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>* * * * * * * </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>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.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>But the PHE is coming to an end and states are going back to the old processes to confirm that people meet those requirements.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>Those who aren’t eligible any more will lose their Medicaid coverage.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>And that could also happen if people don’t do what’s necessary to show that they’re still eligible, so <b>if you have Medicaid coverage, keep reading for information on keeping it</b>.<span class=contentpasted0><b> </b></span>(If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, <b>other coverage options are available</b> – see later in this message.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Step 1 is to make sure that the Human Services Department (HSD) has accurate contact information for you</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>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.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>So go to the HSD website at Yes New Mexico (<a href="https://www.yes.state.nm.us">https://www.yes.state.nm.us</a>) and make sure they have your current contact information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>For some people, that’s all you’ll need to do.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>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</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>For example, <b>if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your Medicaid will be renewed automatically</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>But if HSD can’t renew based on information they already have, you’ll move on to <b>Step 2:<span class=contentpasted0> </span>watch out for the notice they’ll mail to you when it’s time for YOU to renew</b>.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>It will come in a <b>turquoise-colored envelope</b> so that it will catch your eye and you’ll know it’s not junk mail.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Remember, renewals won’t happen for everyone on Medicaid all at once – they’ll be spread out over about a year.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>When you get that turquoise envelope telling you it’s time for your renewal, <b>Step 3 is to go to the YES New Mexico website (</b><a href="http://www.yes.state.nm.us"><b>www.yes.state.nm.us</b></a><b>) to complete the renewal process online</b>.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>(Renewal can also be done by mail, phone or fax, but it will take longer to process.)<span class=contentpasted0> </span>If you have questions, you can call HSD at 1-800-283-4465 or use the chat function on the Yes NM website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>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.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>But there are <b>other options to get low-cost health coverage</b> if you don’t qualify for Medicaid anymore.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>Here are some places to look:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>1) Check out what’s available through the <b>state’s health insurance exchange, BeWellNM</b> (<a href="http://www.BeWellNM.com">www.BeWellNM.com</a>).<span class=contentpasted0> </span>Financial help is available and you may be able to get an insurance plan with a very low monthly premium.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>Help with out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services may also be available.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>And New Mexico has a new Medicaid Transition Premium Relief Program to help you make the move from Medicaid to BeWell coverage:<span class=contentpasted0> </span>the state will pay your first month’s premium!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> 2) If you lose Medicaid and don’t qualify for a BeWellNM plan, you can check out the New Mexico <b>Medical Insurance Pool</b>. Call 1-844-728-7896 for more information and enrollment assistance. </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> 3) </span></span><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>If you're losing Medicaid because you're employed and earning too much to qualify, you may be able to get affordable <b>coverage through your job</b>. Check with your boss or with the company's Human Resources Department.</span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>HSD has set up an<b> It’s Time to R</b></span></span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>enew! webpage specifically for information connected with the renewal process</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> now that the covid-19 PHE is ending:<span class=contentpasted0> </span><a href="https://renew.hsd.nm.gov/">https://renew.hsd.nm.gov/</a>.<span class=contentpasted0> </span>It’s got lots of information, helpful videos, links to other resources, and contact information for HSD and BeWellNM, so take a look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=contentpasted0><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>* * * * * * * </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Tara Chavez, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:NFBNM.President@gmail.com"><span style='color:blue'>NFBNM.President@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(505) 328-3349<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Live the life you want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbnm.org/"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbnm.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org/"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>