Take charge of Medicaid

As advocates for the health and well-being of children across the state, the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its member pediatricians want to ensure Ohioans are aware of a concerning issue affecting families across our state: the unwinding of Medicaid benefits.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, as a condition of receiving enhanced federal funding, state Medicaid agencies continued Medicaid coverage for all members, even those who did not renew their eligibility or were no longer eligible.

The emergency officially ended in February 2023 and state Medicaid offices have resumed normal operations. As a result, an alarming number of families are no longer eligible or didn’t complete paperwork and have lost their Medicaid coverage.

There are important steps families must take to retain, regain, or obtain new coverage:

● Review your coverage. Take time to review your Medicaid benefits and understand what services are covered for your children. Look for coverage changes after the emergency ended and note any new requirements or limitations.

● Ensure contact information is current. It is critical to inform your Medicaid provider of any changes to your name, address and phone number specifically changes that occurred during the emergency, March 2020 to February 2023.

● Respond to requests for information. Check your mail and respond to renewal packets and requests for information from your County JFS. If you get a letter telling you to renew, or requesting information, respond immediately or risk losing coverage.

● Check eligibility. Children may be eligible for coverage even if a parent is not. Through Healthy Start or CHIP, children (up to age 19) in families with income below the federal poverty level may be eligible.

● If you are uncertain about the status of your Medicaid coverage, please contact your insurance provider today.

Melissa Wervey Arnold, CEO, Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics