Dr. Val Arkoosh, acting secretary of the state Department of Human Services, recently joined leadership from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation for a conversation with regional nonprofit health centers and community leaders on Medicaid renewals.
The discussion took place at Independence Blue Cross, at 19th and Market streets.
The Shapiro administration is working to help Pennsylvanians through the Medicaid renewal process and, if necessary, connect to other low or no-cost health coverage so they can protect their health and stay covered.
“What we’re seeing for folks who are just over that threshold to qualify for Medicaid, they’re paying zero dollars a month or $5, $10 a month for their premium through the ACA marketplace,” Arkoosh said. “For the majority, it is very affordable. For children who don’t qualify for Medicaid, it’s a seamless handoff to CHIP.”
Medicaid serves more than 786,000 people in Philadelphia and more than 1.3 million in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Statewide, the figure is 3.7 million, 28 percent of Pennsylvania’s population.
Arkoosh discussed how Medicaid recipients – who are primarily children, senior citizens, lower-income adults and the disabled – can make their renewal process easier and highlighted affordable options for maintaining health coverage.
There are four ways to complete and submit renewal: by mail (packets will be sent 90 days before renewal), online, in person at a county assistance office or by talking to a customer service representative at 866-550-4355.
“We’re encouraging individuals who aren’t sure if they qualify for Medicaid to complete the renewal anyway. If they no longer qualify for Medicaid, their information will be passed over to Pennie, Pennsylvania’s insurance exchange. Pennie automatically creates an account for the person, and then sends them login information.”
For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov/staycovered. ••
