Key takeaways:
Medicaid renewal in Alabama is changing because of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. During this time, some people will lose Medicaid coverage during a process called the unwinding.
During the PHE, Medicaid renewals were automatic and enrollees had continuous coverage. As part of the unwinding, automatic renewals for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) stopped nationwide on March 31, 2023.
Alabama Medicaid has started to determine who qualifies for coverage now. Make sure the agency has your current contact information. If you can’t be reached or no longer qualify for Medicaid, you could be dropped from coverage.
If you lose coverage, you may qualify for low-cost insurance alternatives, such as a plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 in January 2020, which was renewed a dozen times through February 2023.
If you were enrolled in Medicaid at any point during the PHE, you kept your health insurance without eligibility reviews. That’s because states and territories were required to provide continuous coverage during the pandemic.
The PHE will end on May 11, 2023, along with automatic renewals for Medicaid enrollees.
Alabama Medicaid officials are resuming reviews of Medicaid and CHIP enrollees to determine who is eligible to continue receiving coverage. This process is called redetermination. Here’s how to prepare for Medicaid changes in Alabama and what to do if you lose your coverage.
Why is Medicaid changing nationwide?
After the PHE ends, COVID-19 will remain a public health priority — but not an emergency. As part of this process, Medicaid renewals will no longer be automatic. This is being referred to as the unwinding of Medicaid, and millions of people nationwide risk losing Medicaid coverage.
The unwinding will affect Medicaid in every state, the District of Columbia, and 5 U.S. territories.
What’s happening with Medicaid renewal in Alabama?
Alabama Medicaid is responsible for overseeing Medicaid in the state. Alabama has a redetermination plan that can tell you more about how the state intends to handle Medicaid unwinding. During the process, more than 61,000 people in Alabama are expected to lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
It’s important for Alabama Medicaid to have your correct contact information so they can get in touch with you about your renewal.
You may receive a yellow postcard announcing “Keep Your Medicaid!” to remind you to update your contact information. You can do so by:
Visiting the Alabama Medicaid homepage and clicking on the mailbox
Logging in to your account on the My Medicaid portal
Calling the recipient call center toll free at 800-362-1504
Scanning the QR code on the postcard and following the steps to change your address
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Alabama Medicaid will mail you a package with information about how to renew your coverage. You should receive it during your usual renewal time, which is the same month you signed up for Medicaid.
No one in Alabama will lose coverage until their case is reviewed and they are either found to be ineligible or do not respond to requests for information. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your Medicaid will be renewed automatically.
You can sign up to receive text messages by texting MEDICAIDAL to 888777.
Partner organizations will also be working with Medicaid enrollees to make sure you send your current contact information. If you need to reach the Alabama Medicaid office by phone, call 800-362-1504.
What should I do if I lose my Medicaid coverage in Alabama?
Alabama Medicaid will review eligibility for everyone receiving Medicaid. You can receive Medicaid in Alabama if you meet all of the following criteria:
You are an Alabama resident.
You are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legal resident.
You need healthcare or insurance assistance.
Your annual household income before taxes meets the limits for your household size.
And you are one of the following:
Pregnant
In charge of caring for a child 18 years old or younger
Blind
65 years old or older (under certain conditions)
Person with a disability, or a family member in your household has a disability
If you no longer meet the eligibility guidelines, your Medicaid won’t be renewed and you will no longer have coverage. However, your application will be transferred for consideration by another government healthcare program, such as the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
If you lose coverage but believe you still qualify, you can reapply for Medicaid in Alabama. You may be uninsured for a while if you reapply and wait to be approved again. In that case, you can consider free and low-cost healthcare options. You can also use free GoodRx coupons to save on your prescription medications.
You should see if you qualify for coverage elsewhere if you don’t plan to reapply for Medicaid and aren’t eligible for another government healthcare program. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to find health insurance with one of these options:
Affordable Care Act marketplace: Through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange, you may be able to find coverage for $10 or less per month if you qualify for a premium subsidy. If you lose your Medicaid coverage, you’ll be able to purchase an insurance plan on the ACA marketplace during a special enrollment period that will last from March 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024.
Employer plan: You may now have a job that offers health insurance.
Medicare: If you have a qualifying disability or condition — such as end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) — you can enroll in Medicare at any age.
Partner’s plan: If your spouse or domestic partner has insurance, you may be able to join their plan during an open enrollment or special enrollment period.
Special plans: Short-term insurance can be a great choice if you anticipate a better option, like job-based health insurance, to be available soon. You may also consider alternative and limited-benefit plans, such as fixed indemnity, accident, cost-sharing, and catastrophic insurance plans.
Student health plan: If you’re enrolled in a college or university, you may be eligible for a campus health plan.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): If you are an active-duty service member or a veteran, you may qualify for TRICARE coverage or VA benefits and services.
Alabama Medicaid resources
Here are some sites where you can learn more about Medicaid in Alabama and upcoming changes related to the end of the public health emergency:
Alabama Medicaid office: Get general information from Alabama Medicaid, which oversees Medicaid and CHIP in the state.
Alabama Medicaid self-service portal: You can log in to your Medicaid account 24/7 through the My Medicaid portal to learn more about Medicaid and CHIP renewal.
Updating your contact information: Visit this site to find out how to make sure your mailing address, email, and other contact information are correct.
The bottom line
Automatic Medicaid renewals stopped nationwide on March 31, 2023 because of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Alabama started reviewing Medicaid eligibility for enrollees in April 2023. You may be contacted by mail, email, text message, or from partner organizations about your eligibility and possible renewal. It’s important to update your information in your My Medicaid account to receive your notifications.
If you lose your Medicaid coverage, you may still qualify for health insurance elsewhere. Your options may include ACA marketplace plans, Medicare, or job-based insurance.
Why trust our experts?
References
Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response. (2023), Renewal of determination that a public health emergency exists.
Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response. (2020). Determination that a public health emergency exists.
Alabama Medicaid. (n.d.). Qualifying for Medicaid.
Alabama Medicaid. (n.d.). Recipient news center.
Alabama Medicaid. (n.d.). Update your address.
Alabama Medicaid Agency. (2023). Messaging for the end of COVD-19 continuous enrollment.
Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Temporary special enrollment period (SEP) for consumers losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage due to unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition – Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Renew your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Unwinding and returning to regular operations after COVID-19.
Tolbert, J., et al. (2023). 10 things to know about the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Whites-Koditschek, S. (2023). Uninsured to rise in Alabama as pandemic protections end for Medicaid. AL.com.
