Are you in danger of losing your Medicaid coverage?

The Department of Community Health recently announced that Medicaid eligibility redeterminations, or Medicaid renewals, would begin on April 1, 2023. These renewals have been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DFCS caseworkers will begin reviewing each case in more detail and determining if the Medicaid recipient is eligible for benefits. Medicaid recipients who do not meet the asset and income requirements may find their benefits terminated. The redetermination process is expected to take fourteen months to complete. Was your Medicaid application completed thoroughly? Could you be in danger of losing your Medicaid coverage?

How could someone receive Medicaid benefits if they were not eligible?

Many applications submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic were approved using special guidelines. There were reduced verification requirements for assets and income.  Many applicants who would have required a Qualified Income Trust to qualify were able to have this requirement temporarily waived. Some applicants, whose assets and income exceeded the Medicaid limits, received an approval for Medicaid even though they may not have qualified. In addition, applicants with a community spouse were able to qualify using the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). These applicants may not realize the Medicaid recipient is expected to have countable resources below the individual limit, currently $2,000.00, prior to the Medicaid recipient’s annual review. As caseworkers review these cases, if the circumstances have not changed, Medicaid recipients may find themselves determined ineligible for Medicaid.

Don’t panic, take action.

It is a good idea to review your case with an attorney who is well-versed in Medicaid eligibility requirements. This will allow you to make sure your case is in good order prior to your redetermination. If there are issues with your case, it is wise to come up with a plan to maintain your Medicaid eligibility. Be proactive, not reactive. At Hurley Elder Care Law, our attorneys can analyze your current resources and income and explain how a DFCS caseworker may view your case when your redetermination occurs. Please call our office at 404-843-0121 to make an appointment if you would like your case reviewed. We can look for opportunities to help protect your assets while preventing costly Medicaid denials.