Released: March 31, 2023
Delaware County is reminding residents that, effective April 1, Medicaid and CHIP coverage will be subject to pre-pandemic renewal requirements. Residents who receive health coverage through the state will need to complete a renewal in the next year or risk losing their coverage.
This change is the result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, signed into law in December 2022, which ends the government’s COVID-19 provision—known as the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement—that allowed individuals to continue to remain enrolled in Medicaid even if they became ineligible, except in certain circumstances.
Beginning April 1, all Pennsylvanians receiving Medicaid or CHIP must once again complete their annual renewal when it is due in order to maintain health coverage.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Acting Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh advises residents who receive health coverage through the state to keep their contact information up to date with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), watch for information about their renewal, and when it is their turn, complete their Medicaid or CHIP renewal on time in order to ensure continued coverage.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) clarified that no one will lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage without an opportunity to renew their coverage.
Renewals will be completed over a 12-month period, with renewals due in April 2023 the first to be affected by the end of continuous coverage. If a person is found ineligible for coverage or does not complete their renewal on time, their Medicaid coverage will end. Pennsylvanians who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will be referred to other sources of affordable medical coverage, like CHIP and Pennie®, so they have no lapse in quality, affordable health care.
Pennie® is Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace and the only place to get financial assistance to help lower the cost of high-quality coverage and care. Individuals who are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage can apply for coverage online at pennie.com.
Individuals may have their information securely transferred from Medicaid or CHIP for an easier enrollment process.
Delaware County residents, and all Pennsylvanians, can update their contact information, report changes in their personal circumstances, or check their renewal date:
Pennie provides personalized support and expertise virtually over the phone or in-person and in one’s preferred language. Individuals can call Pennie’s Customer Service at 1-844-844-8040 or find Pennie-certified pros at pennie.com/connect. Pennie is tailored to Pennsylvanians and now has more plan options, lower costs, and better coordination with the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
The potential loss of health insurance coverage, in combination with the decrease in SNAP benefits as a result of the termination of the extra monthly payments that had been in effect during the pandemic will present additional challenges to some residents.
Individuals who are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage can apply for coverage online at pennie.com.
To learn more about the end of SNAP extra payments and resources, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/SNAPCares.
To learn more about Medicaid and CHIP renewals and access educational resources, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/phe.
For more information on health insurance options available to Pennsylvanians, visit www.insurance.pa.gov/Coverage/Pages/Health-Insurance.aspx.
Health-related resources are available on the Health Department website at delcopa.gov/health and through the Delaware County Wellness Line, available by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.
COSA provides services to county residents age sixty and older and is a great resource for persons of any age needing information on benefits and services available to older persons. Call (610) 490-1300 or visit their website at www.delcosa.org.