Medical Assistance & the Federal Public Health Emergency
Under the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration, Pennsylvania was required to continue
Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for most people unless they moved out-of-state, passed away, or asked to end their MA. When the federal PHE ends, the Department of Human Services (DHS) must reach out to see if people are still eligible for MA. MA recipients will have to complete a renewal to maintain their MA coverage as long as they are eligible.
DHS and our partners at
Pennie™ (Pennsylvania's official health and dental insurance marketplace) are working hard to make sure that Pennsylvanians can get coverage either through MA, the
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or affordable coverage available through pennie.com.
When will the PHE end?
We do not know when the federal government will end the PHE.
The federal government has said they will tell us 60 days before the PHE ends.
We will update this website once we know when the PHE will end.
Also,
DHS can text and email you important information like when your renewal is due. Sign up for text messaging and email notices by managing your communication preferences in
COMPASS today!
What does this mean for me?
You will get a renewal packet in the mail when it is time to renew your MA. You will start to receive information in the mail about your renewal 90 days before it is due to update your information if anything has changed.
It is very important that you complete and return the renewal forms that you receive in the mail or
complete your renewal online in COMPASS.
Completing your renewal will help DHS determine if you are still eligible for MA. If you are still eligible, your MA coverage will continue.
What do I need to do now?
The best thing you can do now is make sure your address and phone number are up-to-date with us so we can send you important information about your coverage. You can update your information:
COMPASS Web
Visit
dhs.pa.gov/Compass to update your information and sign up for alerts, updates, and renewal reminders.
You can also sign up for alerts to get information faster when it is your time to renew. (See “How Can I sign up for text alerts?) If you cannot access COMPASS, you can update your contact information by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 or 215-683-4347 in Philadelphia.
When do I have to renew my benefits?
Everyone’s renewal date is different. You will start to get information about your renewal about 90 days before your renewal is due. You can opt-in to receive text messages from DHS. We will text you when your renewal packet is mailed, and you will also receive other important alerts and reminders about your benefits.
See “How can I sign up for text alerts?” to sign up for text message alerts.
If you receive a renewal packet, you must complete it by the due date listed on the packet or your MA could stop. If you are no longer eligible or you do not return your packet, you will receive a notice in the mail telling you when your MA coverage is scheduled to end.
NOTE: Not all renewals will be sent right after the PHE ends. This will take several months, so be on the lookout for your packet when it is your turn to renew your coverage. If you sign up for alerts, we can send you a text message when your renewal is mailed.
What happens if I do not return my renewal forms?
If you do not return your renewal, DHS will have to end your coverage. If that happens, you can reapply for MA at any time. You may also get information about coverage available through Pennie™ if it is an option for you.
How can I complete my medical assistance renewal once I get it?
There are a few ways for you to complete your renewal.
1) You can complete the forms we send you and mail them back in the envelope included in the packet;
4) You can complete your renewal by phone by calling 1-866-550-4355.
What happens if I’m not eligible for Medical Assistance anymore?
If your renewal shows that you are no longer eligible for MA, there are options for you to stay covered. If you are not eligible for MA and are age 19 or older, we will send the information you gave us to Pennie™. Pennie™ can help you review your coverage options and learn about financial assistance that may be available to help you pay for your coverage. We will send you a letter telling you that we have sent your information to Pennie™.
Children who are under 19 and not eligible for MA will be directly connected to CHIP and parents will learn more about coverage.
If you believe we made a mistake when we conducted your renewal and found you ineligible for MA, you can appeal that decision. Directions for how to appeal are on the notice you get from us. You can also provide us with information that you did not give us in your renewal, and we can check to see if that changes your eligibility.
What is Pennie™? Who can get coverage from Pennie™?
Pennie™ is Pennsylvania's official state-based health and dental insurance marketplace. Pennie™ lets you shop for plans available in your area and is the only place to get financial assistance (subsidies) to help pay for coverage.
Pennie™ also provides local expert support to help you understand what plans are available to you and your family. Visit
www.pennie.com/connect or call 1-844-844-8040 to learn more. Their support experts can help you over the phone, in person, or virtually in your preferred language.
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What is CHIP? Who can get coverage from CHIP?
CHIP provides high quality, affordable health coverage for families with children 19 or younger.
CHIP covers all the care your child may need like:
- well-child visits,
- doctors' visits, prescriptions,
- vision and dental care,
- and more.
Learn more about CHIP at
www.chipcoverspakids.com or by calling the CHIP Helpline at 1-800-986-KIDS (5437).
More about CHIP