HJAR May/Jun 2023

48 MAY / JUN 2023 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID COLUMN MEDICAID RENEW ARKANSAS/MEDICAID UNWINDING Since the federal government declared a public health emergency when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, state Med- icaid programs have continued healthcare coverage for medical assistance programs, even for people who have not renewed their cases or who are no longer eligible. The fed- eral government has set March 31, 2023, as the last day states must keep ineligible ben- eficiaries enrolled in Medicaid. As part of its “RenewArkansas”campaign, DHS startedmailing out renewals in February and will continue each month until renewals for all Medicaid programs have been sent. Beneficiaries who need to renew their Med- icaid eligibility will get a letter fromDHS tell- ing them that they need to renew. Everything beneficiaries need to know about how and when to send the packet back will be included in that letter. DHS may have enough informa- tion to renew some beneficiaries without the need for the beneficiary to submit additional information. Federal & State Changes Impacting Medicaid Eligibility in Arkansas It is very important that Medicaid beneficia- ries who get renewal packets respond to them timely. Renewal packets should be returned by the due date listed on the packet, which is about 60 days from the date on the letter. If the packet is not returned by the due date, a reminder letter giving additional time will be sent. If the packet is not received by the date on the reminder, the case will close, and the beneficiary’s coverage will end. Those who lose Arkansas Medicaid cover- age but who are otherwise eligible for cov- erage through the federal marketplace will be connected for assistance with finding a health plan. Beneficiaries also still should make sure their mailing addresses and other contact information is updated. Beneficiaries can up- date their mailing address, phone number, and email by calling the Update Arkansas hotline at 844-872-2660. Beneficiaries can also go online at access.arkansas.gov, create an account, and update their information, or they can visit a DHS county office.