Pontiac, MI - Oakland County and its community partners are urging the county’s 89,500 residents who are enrolled in Medicaid to participate in Michigan’s Medicaid renewal process to avoid any potential gaps in healthcare coverage.
During a news conference Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at Trinity Health Oakland hospital, County Executive Dave Coulter joined healthcare leaders to announce the availability of navigators and other resources to help residents with the renewal process.
Medicaid renewal determines whether those enrolled are still eligible for coverage. This is Michigan’s first Medicaid renewal in three years because of COVID-19 federal emergency public health orders expiring in May. At least 15,000 Oakland County residents enrolled in Medicaid during that period. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges.
“We want to make sure that no Oakland County resident experiences a gap in their health care coverage as a result of these eligibility reviews,” Coulter said. “So, we’re working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to get the word out and providing links to community organizations that can help Oakland County residents who are receiving Medicaid benefits navigate the renewal process.”
Residents who find they are no longer eligible for Medicaid should take the next step to enroll in a healthcare plan at www.healthcare.gov. Residents may go to the six Oakland County Michigan Works! offices in Novi, Pontiac, Oak Park, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford to get assistance with the Medicaid renewal. Also, community organizations like Jewish Family Services, Centro Multicultural La Familia, and ACCESS will assist residents with Medicaid renewal and, if necessary, help them find an affordable health plan.
“Through our work in public health, we recognize the importance of helping the clients we serve to keep their health coverage,” said Deputy Oakland County Executive Madiha Tariq, who oversees the Departments of Health and Human Services and Public Services “Our teams are working to help connect people to resources who can guide them through the Medicaid renewal process. If a resident is determined by MDHHS to no longer be eligible for Medicaid benefits, there are resources to help them go to the healthcare marketplace to purchase health insurance.”
Michigan will send monthly renewal notices three months prior to a beneficiaries’ renewal date beginning with June renewal dates. The state sent June renewal awareness letters in March. To maintain coverage, residents enrolled in Medicaid must fill out a renewal form which the state will send them by mail. Individuals who do not turn in their renewal forms by the due date risk losing their Medicaid coverage.
Those enrolled in Medicaid need to update their address, phone number, and email address in MI Bridges (www.michigan.gov/MIBridges) as soon as possible to receive their renewal packet. They also need to note any changes to their household or income. People who have Medicaid need to check their mail, email, or text to make sure they do not miss their renewal paperwork.
Oakland County has dozens of organizations which serve residents enrolled in Medicaid. Trinity Health Oakland’s Emergency Department sees many patients who have Medicaid. Hospital President Shannon Striebich, who also serves as vice president of operations for all Trinity Health hospitals in Michigan, wants to prevent their patients from finding out they no longer have Medicaid when they visit the emergency room.
“As a longtime healthcare leader in Oakland County and across Michigan, Trinity Health is very concerned that patients will unknowingly lose access to care once their Medicaid eligibility is reviewed,” said Striebich. “Medicaid has been a blessing for many vulnerable patients throughout the state who experience financial struggles. Along with other services, Medicaid coverage provides access to primary care visits, including important routine checkups and preventative care.”
To prepare for the renewal, Medicaid enrollees should gather the following paperwork:
• Proof of age (birth certificate or driver’s license)
• Proof of all sources of income
• Proof of assets and other resources (copies of bank statements or other financial items if told to on your Medicaid renewal form)
• Proof of citizenship or immigration status
• Proof of disability (those who think they qualify because of a disability may need to include documentation in their Medicaid renewal form)
• Proof of other insurance (a copy of your other insurance ID card(s), or red, white, and blue Medicare card)
Residents who do not have access to the Internet may call the MDHHS Beneficiary Help Line at 800-642-3195.