Attention Floridians: With pandemic protections set to expire, millions of people in the state will need to reapply for Medicaid. Unfortunately, some may even lose coverage in the process. But you don’t have to face this Medicaid unwinding alone. Our experienced health insurance staff is here to help.
The Florida Department of Children and Families has announced that it will attempt to use existing information to automatically renew as many people as possible. However, compared to other states, Florida’s automatic renewal process is lacking, with less than half of its renewals done automatically.
Florida Medicaid Renewal Assistance
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Unwinding SEP Extension
Beginning Thursday, March 28th, CMS is extending a temporary special enrollment period (SEP) to help people who are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP transition to Marketplace coverage in states using HealthCare.gov. The end date of this “Unwinding SEP” will be extended from July 31, 2024, to November 30, 2024, which will help more people leaving Medicaid or CHIP secure affordable, comprehensive coverage through the start of the next open enrollment period. This extension will be crucial to ensuring people remain covered, including in states that have given people additional time to renew their coverage, as CMS has recommended, to help eligible people stay enrolled. States with state-based Marketplaces can adopt similar extensions.
Links:
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Press release outlining today’s actions: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-takes-additional-actions-help-people-stay-covered-during-medicaid-and-chip-renewals
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New addendum to SEP FAQ announcing extension: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/downloads/extn-sep-cnsmrs-lsg-chip-cvrg-adndm-faq.pdf
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Original unwinding SEP FAQ guidance: https://www.cms.gov/technical-assistance-resources/temp-sep-unwinding-faq.pdf
CMS also released new guidance and other resources to help protect coverage. These include:
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Guidance on unwinding processes and tools for states reinforcing important federal renewal requirements that states must follow, developed in response to questions from both states and partners;
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Guidance to Medicaid managed care plans on completing signatures for enrollees so plans can help more people renew coverage; and
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New resources for partners to help families navigate their state Medicaid fair-hearing process, such as if someone was determined no longer eligible for Medicaid.
We are Owners Choice Benefits, a local Volusia County – Daytona Beach area independent insurance agency located in Ormond Beach, Florida. Our team is committed to making your personal insurance buying experience comfortable and professional. Whether it’s Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, income, dental disability, hospital or life insurance for you or your family, the right insurance coverage is a vital financial safety net. With the many types, costs and coverages and too much or too little information, it can be hard to find the time to make these important decisions. You can feel confident your Owners Choice Benefits team of experienced insurance agents, associates and local industry professionals have the resources and expertise to help.
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