Nearly 23,000 Michiganders bumped off Medicaid in June, July

In June and July, at least 22,911 Michiganders were bumped off the state's Medicaid rolls because they are no longer eligible for benefits or for procedural problems, such as failing to provide complete information like pay stubs, bank statements or driver's license details to state health regulators.

That's nearly 5% of the 471,573 people statewide who were due to reenroll in those months, according to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

It's a number that is likely to swell in the months ahead, as Michigan — and the rest of the nation — continue a historic Medicaid redetermination process that will affect nearly 3.2 million people in the state and will continue with rolling deadlines each month through May 2024.

Why are people losing their Medicaid coverage?

It’s all part of the federal "unwinding of Medicaid," or Medicaid redetermination. What it means is that for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, people who have had their Medicaid insurance coverage automatically renewed each year must reapply to continue their coverage.

Those whose income has risen beyond eligibility requirements or who now qualify for employer-based insurance plans may be dropped from the programs. Some people who remain eligible could be taken off the Medicaid rolls because they didn't get the renewal paperwork or didn't understand what to do with it.

State health leaders declared Thursday a Day of Action, encouraging all state government offices to share information about the need for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries to submit their renewal paperwork on time.

“Our staff and valued partners continue to do all that we can to preserve Medicaid coverage for Michigan families,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel in a statement. “I am pleased that our partners from other state government agencies are helping MDHHS get the word out to Medicaid beneficiaries that it’s important for them to submit their renewal paperwork.”

Though the state has counted 22,911 who have lost Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan benefits so far, the June and July official tally isn't complete, said Bob Wheaton, a spokesperson for the state health department.

More could be added in the next few weeks as health officials await completed enrollment forms from 123,744 people who were up for renewal in July but have until the end of August to return their paperwork.

How many people are enrolled in Medicaid in Michigan?

More than 2.1 million people in Michigan are enrolled in traditional Medicaid. Another 1.07 million are enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan, according to the state health department.

Altogether, that means about one-third of the state’s roughly 10 million people are covered by some form of Medicaid and must go through the reapplication processes within the next year.

Since the redetermination process began in June, 224,757 Michiganders have successfully renewed their traditional Medicaid or Healthy Michigan Plans as of Aug. 7, state health officials said.

How can I find out when my Medicaid plan will renew?

Beneficiaries can check to see when they must renew as part of Medicaid redetermination at michigan.gov/MIBridges. From now through May 2024, people will get notification on a rolling basis about their three-month window to apply.

If, for example, your Medicaid renewal month is October, you’ll get a letter in August informing you about the need to reapply. The following month, September, you would get a renewal packet in the mail. And you’d have to submit the paperwork before the deadline in October to keep your coverage.

I don't think I'll qualify. Should I still submit Medicaid reenrollment documents?

Yes. Medicaid beneficiaries are encouraged to complete and return their forms as soon as possible, even if they do not believe they are still eligible for coverage.

That's because some members of a household may still be able to get benefits even if others are ineligible. For example, a child may be covered by MiChild even if a parent is not eligible for other Medicaid programs. Or some Michiganders may have income that is over the income limit for one program but still be able to obtain health care benefits through another program.

More: Michigan extends Medicaid renewal deadline, offering grace period until end of July

What should I do if I lose my Medicaid coverage?

Those who no longer qualify for Medicaid or Healthy Michigan Plans will get additional information about other options available, including through the Health Insurance Marketplace on HealthCare.gov.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services also is working to help people purchase affordable health insurance if they are dropped from the Medicaid rolls. For assistance, call 877-999-6442 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. or go online to Michigan.gov/StayCovered.

What strategies are state leaders taking to keep people enrolled?

Because the renewal response wasn't as robust as state health officials had hoped it would be in June, with permission from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the deadline was extended to July 31 for anyone with an initial June 30 deadline.

In all, the state health department has been approved for eight federal waivers that allow the agency flexibility to employ strategies to keep as many people as possible enrolled in Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plans. It was recognized by the U.S. Digital Service for those efforts.

In addition to extending the June reenrollment deadline to July 31, MDHHS also is:

• Reinstating eligibility back to the termination date for people who were considered ineligible for a procedural reason — such as not returning renewal forms on time — but were later found to be eligible during a 90-day reconsideration period.

• Renewing some plans automatically when MDHHS already has enough current information to determine eligibility and doesn’t need additional proof from the beneficiary.

• Sharing lists with managed care organizations of Medicaid enrollees who are due for renewal but haven't responded so the health organizations can reach out to those beneficiaries.

• Allowing managed care plans to help people complete and submit their renewal forms.

What do I need to do to be ready for Medicaid redetermination?

State health leaders encourage Michiganders enrolled in traditional Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan to:

• Make sure your address, phone number and email address are up to date at michigan.gov/MIBridges. You can also call your local MDHHS office. If you do not have an online account for MI Bridges to access your Medicaid case or report changes, go to michigan.gov/MIBridges to sign up for an account.

• Report any changes to your household or income. You can report changes at michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling your local MDHHS office.

• If you get a renewal packet, be sure to fill it out, sign the forms and return it by the due date with any proof needed.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: At least 22,911 Michiganders knocked off Medicaid rolls in June, July