“Medicaid Coverage in the Post-Covid Era” by Attorney Alicia Balanesi (Audio)
Between May and August of 2023, over 100,000 vulnerable adults in Maryland lost Medicaid coverage, and that number is still climbing. The loss came with the ending of a COVID-19 federal health policy that prohibited Maryland from kicking anyone off Medicaid during the pandemic. With the termination of the policy as of April 2023, the Maryland Department of Health has begun its redeterminations of over 1.8 million residents who currently receive government benefits.
Medicaid is a government benefits program that assists older individuals with long-term health care expenses and varies in requirements from state to state. The loss of benefits from Medicaid results in delayed health care coverage and in accessing medical care for individuals who are highly susceptible to infection or illness, or prevent them from being able to fill prescriptions. Gaps in health insurance can also lead to worsening chronic illnesses and ineffective treatment without the right prescriptions.
In addition, during COVID-era, the enrollment process was automatic, which has now ended, prompting Maryland to initiate a “Maryland Check-In” program to assist residents in doing their redeterminations; however, the word is not spreading and many people have lost coverage.
Of the losses in coverage, over 60% were due mostly to procedural reasons, such as where applications were never submitted at all, likely due to the applicant having no knowledge that they had to refile an application for renewal of coverage or the renewal application was started, but not completed.
Do you have a loved one who is currently receiving Medicaid but may be at risk of losing coverage in this post-Covid climate? Have you taken all the steps to ensure they will continue to receive their benefits? Recipients of Medicaid should be aware of when their renewal date is, and how to complete the process of enrollment, or redetermination.
At Sinclair Prosser Gasior, we can assist you with both the initial enrollment as well as the redetermination process. We have a dedicated team that will coordinate with your loved one’s care team and guide you through the enrollment process to ensure there are no gaps in healthcare coverage and that your loved one is receiving all of the necessary care they require.
- Medicaid Coverage in the Post-Covid Era - November 16, 2023
- Han Solo’s Estate Plan - September 25, 2023
- Darth Vader’s Estate Planning Legacy - July 28, 2023
