Start watching your mailbox this summer if anyone in your home is on MEDICAID, CHIP, HEALTHY MI, or MI CHILD as this is one more sign that things are getting back to ‘normal’. Back in 2020 the state issued the COVID-19 health insurance emergency order which allowed low-income families to continue their coverage without needing to prove their lower income and qualifications annually for the Healthy Michigan Plan or the MiChild program. Now, that we are returning to offices and work it looks like anyone who is on state-funded insurance plans will need to begin showing proof of income again.
Beginning this summer, we suspect, everyone in these programs will need to submit proof of income to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to determine eligibility and renewal of their coverage if they want to keep the coverage.
With that, let’s ask our resident Insurance expert, Tim McCarron, what we need to know:
- This affects everyone that is on a Michigan healthcare plan.
This is not different than what we have always done in the past. The protocol is just being reinstated now that the emergency order is coming to an end. - Letters will be sent to your last address on file at the state health department
Be sure to update and/or confirm your address at MDHHS, your local health department, and on MI Bridges. Make sure your caseworker has your correct address. Remember, if your address is not updated, and the letter is sent to the wrong address, you can be dropped from your health insurance without being informed. - The timeline
Not everyone will receive the letter at the same time. Letters are being sent in correlation to the month of the insured’s birthday, however, this does not necessarily mean it will arrive during your birthday month. Rather it allows the processing of the letters and determinations to be more organized. - Reply to the letter Immediately
In Michigan, each person or family on state funded insurance will be asked to submit information about their current income. Some may need to give information about assets such as houses, cars, or bank accounts. Don’t delay sending this info back in.After the state reviews your information, you will either get a letter saying you can continue in the program for another year, or a letter saying you have been determined not to qualify and your coverage will not renew.- Also, if you think your income is above the limit, still submit the information. Your coverage will continue until you receive another letter stating you are not eligible, and your coverage will end at the end of the month that letter is sent. So, even if you can’t continue your current coverage, you will still have until the end of that month to find insurance.
- Finding New Coverage
If your plan will not renew, there are options. Start with your employer. Even if it’s not your company’s normal enrollment period they are required to enroll you because of the qualifying reason of no longer having coverage – but you only have 60 days.The other option is to investigate insurances on the Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. There’s a special Open Enrollment period happening now through the end of the year for anyone whose income is under 150% of the federal poverty level. Plus, some people can get discounts on Marketplace coverage depending on income level.
- Ask for Help Navigating Through This
Hamilton Community Health Network has what we call Insurance Navigators, people who are trained and knowledgeable about the various forms of insurance and can help walk you through applying for insurance. You can reach me at 810-406-4912 Ext 4955. I am happy to help you see what coverage will work best for you, plus it’s free and he doesn’t work on commission. - This will be an annual requirement
Most likely we will be back to doing this on an annual basis. So, be sure to keep your income statements and forms so you can refer to those when you must do this again.
TIPS for Managing Your Coverage
- Respond to your Upcoming Letter Quickly
- Get any procedures or appointments completed now
- Do NOT go without insurance or let it lapse – emergencies and things like COVID happen
- If you want to stay with your doctor, make sure your doctor accepts your new insurance
