The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is reevaluating whether people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP are still eligible.
When a public health emergency was declared in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the federal government instructed states to suspend the eligibility redeterminations that are usually conducted annually.
As a result, no one has been taken off Medicaid since 2020. State officials are estimating as many as 617,000 Pennsylvanians may no longer meet eligibility requirements.
Medicaid recipients are being urged to check when their Medicaid renewal is up and make sure they send their information. The state says 598,000 Pennsylvanians have not completed their most recent renewal. You can check your renewal date or submit your renewal at the DHS website.
To search for a free health clinic near you, go to freeclinicspa.org.
Statement from DHS
DHS Press Secretary Brandon Cwalina shared the following statement with the media: "No one will be automatically or immediately removed from Medicaid without first having the chance to renew. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) takes seriously its responsibility to help maintain coverage for Pennsylvanians receiving health coverage through the state, Medicaid or CHIP. Pennsylvania has more than 3.6 million total people covered by Medicaid as of January 2023, and while 617,000 individuals could be ineligible based on their last renewal and 598,000 have not completed their most recent renewal (there is some overlap in these two groups; adding these numbers together is not accurate), all of these individuals will have the opportunity to complete a renewal or provide an update to their case information over the next year at the time of their usual renewal date."
DHS said it is critical for anyone receiving Medicaid or CHIP to keep their contact information up to date with DHS, watch for information about their renewal, and when it is their turn, complete the renewal so they can stay covered.
Pennsylvanians can update their contact information, report changes in their personal circumstances, or check their renewal date:
- Online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS.
- Via the free myCOMPASS PA Mobile App.
- By calling 1-877-395-8930 (215-560-7226 if they live in Philadelphia).
- By calling 1-800-986-KIDS (5437) if they are currently enrolled in CHIP.
DHS also says Pennsylvanians who are found to no longer be eligible for Medicaid will be referred to other affordable medical coverage, such as CHIP and Pennie.
From 8WGAL-TV
