If you are wondering about renewing Medicaid or to renew KanCare, we can help. Renewing insurance coverage annually may seem tricky, but the health care navigators of Cover Kansas specialize in helping you through this process…for FREE!
Let’s start by looking at why Medicaid and KanCare need to be renewed each year and what to do if you no longer qualify for Medicaid or KanCare.
In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily waived certain Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements and conditions. The easing of these rules helped prevent people with Medicaid and CHIP in Kansas from losing their health coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, states will soon be required to restart Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews. According to some estimates, when states resume these reviews, up to 15 million people across the United States could lose their current Medicaid or CHIP coverage through a process called “unwinding.”
In an effort to minimize the number of people that lose Medicaid or KanCare coverage, Cover Kansas is working to inform people about renewing their coverage and exploring other available health insurance options if they no longer qualify for Medicaid or KanCare (CHIP).
You must renew Medicaid annually and renew KanCare annually as well. If you would like to jump directly to the section about renewing your coverage, click one of the options listed below.
You must renew Medicaid annually. You must renew KanCare annually.
Medicaid beneficiaries must renew their eligibility, usually every 12 months, to continue receiving health insurance. When renewals are not completed on time, beneficiaries experience a period of uninsurance and may delay getting needed care.
If you no longer qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, you may be able to get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Marketplace plans are:
Losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage is considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), which allows you to enroll in a Marketplace plan outside of the Open Enrollment Period (November 1 — January 15). Typically, a consumer has 60 days (about 2 months) after experiencing a qualifying event to apply for coverage.
Cover Kansas Navigators are trained, unbiased individuals that can help you compare health insurance plans, assist you with the online application process, and provide answers to your Marketplace questions year-round. You can also visit HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to get details about Marketplace coverage.
If your child no longer qualifies for Medicaid, you may be able to get them health coverage through the Kansas Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or KanCare Program.
To see the available plans for 2022, click HERE.
If you or a family member currently have health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you may soon need to take steps to find out if you can continue your coverage.
Kansas will resume Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews soon. This means some people with Medicaid or CHIP could be disenrolled from those programs. However, they may be eligible to buy a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®, and get help paying for it.
If you need assistance, our health care navigators can help!
The federal public health emergency ended July, 15, 2022 along with continuous KanCare eligibility, leading to coverage changes for thousands of Kansans.
During the federally declared health emergency, Kansans were able to keep Medicaid coverage regardless of changes to their household situation. The requirement of continuous eligibility drove Medicaid enrollment up by 19.1% across the nation, but once the emergency ends, everyone covered will be required to undergo the renewal process.
Current guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allows states up to 12 months to initiate renewals and 14 months to complete them. Sarah Fertig, the state Medicaid director for Kansas, said Kansas would spread the renewal process out over 12 months. Kansas officials say there will be a 60-day notice before the declaration expires.
If you have received a notice from the state, our health care navigators can help you determine if you can renew, or seek health insurance coverage through the Marketplace.
For more information, please read THIS ARTICLE from the Kansas Reflector.
You will receive a renewal notice each year to renew KanCare. It’s very important to renew so you don’t have any interruption in your KanCare insurance coverage.
Once you’ve been approved for KanCare, you’ll be in the health care program you chose for one year. There are many KanCare insurance plans to choose from. Each year you’ll receive a renewal notice. The yearly renewal allows you to add family members, update your contact information (such as telephone number), and update any changes to your income over the past year.
It is important to keep KanCare up to date on your family information Be sure to complete the renewal immediately to guarantee there is no disruption in your child or family coverage. If you have moved, have not received your notice in the mail, find it difficult to fill out your renewal, or have any questions, we can help you by calling 866-826-8375 or contacting a health navigator online.
As COVID-19 becomes less of a threat, Kansas will restart yearly Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility reviews. This means the state of Kansas will use the information they have to decide if you or your family member(s) still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage. If the state needs more information from you to make a coverage decision, they’ll send you a renewal letter in the mail. Most children can still be covered through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
For details, check your Medicaid notice or contact the Kansas Medicaid Office. If you need help, our health care navigators can help you for free.
If you or a family member no longer qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, you may be able to buy a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®.
Need help renewing health insurance? Cover Kansas has you covered!
Getting coverage through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace can be a complicated process. Cover Kansas has simplified it! This website answers any questions you might have about enrolling, allows you to compare insurance plans, and allows you to get free assistance from a certified Navigator.
Cover Kansas Navigators are trained, unbiased individuals that can help you compare health insurance plans, assist you with the online application process, and provide answers to your Marketplace questions year-round.
There are 123 total plans available in Kansas for 2022. See the 2022 Kansas Insurance Plans Brief (PDF).
You can also find more details and facts in our 2022 Health Insurance Guide.
