Keep Your Health Coverage
Due to COVID19, Medicaid and KCHIP renewals were paused, but they’re coming back!
If you or a family member currently has health coverage through Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), here’s what you need to know:
RENEWAL TIMELINE:
Renewals will be spread out over a twelve (12) month period between April 2023 - April 2024. The first renewal notices will be mailed to some households in April 2023. Not everyone will receive a notice at the same time.
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There will be four ways to find your renewal month starting in April:
- Login to the kynect self-service portal
- Call the kynect hotline at 855-4kynect (855-459-6328)
- Find a kynector
- Ask your provider to check the KYHealthNet portal
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When the notice is received, you will have at least 60 days to provide the information needed to determine whether you or other members of your household are still eligible for Medicaid or KCHIP.
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If you or a member of your household is determined to no longer be eligible for Medicaid or KCHIP, you will be notified of other options. This will include subsidized coverage through the kynect Marketplace or Medicare for anyone who turned 65 during the pandemic.
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No one should lose their Medicaid or KCHIP coverage before May 31, 2023.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Be sure Medicaid has your current mailing address and other contact information. You can update your information through the kynect self-service portal or by calling the kynect hotline at 855-4kynect (855-459-6328).
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UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION:
Make sure Medicaid has your correct mailing address, phone number, and email address. This way, they can contact you without delay. -
CHECK YOUR MAIL:
You will get a letter about your Medicaid or KCHIP renewal when it is your time to renew. This could happen anytime between April 2023 and March 2024. The letter will let you know if you need to complete a form or send in information to keep your coverage. -
SEND IN INFORMATION:
If you get a form, fill it out and return it right away with the information requested. The information needed is for your renewal and may help you avoid losing Medicaid or KCHIP.
WHAT NOTICES WILL BE SENT?
RENEWAL NOTICE - A “renewal notice” is sent when it is your time to actively renew your coverage. This notice will let you know what information is required to determine your eligibility for Medicaid or KCHIP. If Medicaid has current information for you or your household, they may be able to renew coverage automatically. In that case, you may only receive the “notice of eligibility” shown below.
NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY - A “notice of eligibility” is sent after you apply for coverage or renew your coverage. This notice will tell you whether you or others in your household are eligible, when coverage starts, and when coverage ends. If you are not eligible, the notice will provide other options for coverage.
What if you or someone you know loses coverage?
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO:
- Reapply for Medicaid or KCHIP if you think you are still eligible. Medicaid allows a person to contact the state within 90 days of their coverage ending and renew coverage without completing a new application.
- Enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through kynect. People with lower incomes are eligible for significant financial assistance. In many cases, people are eligible for zero-premium plans.
- Enroll in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance, if it is available to you.
- Enroll in Medicare, if you turned 65 during the pandemic.
Losing health coverage, including Medicaid coverage, is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), which allows you to enroll in a kynect plan or Employer Sponsored Health Insurance (ESI) plan outside of the Open Enrollment Period.
HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?
Visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-4kynect (855-459-6328). There are people in your community who can help too! Find a local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office by visiting Find a DCBS Office or Find a kynector.
