Don’t Lose Your Medical Assistance and/or CHIP Coverage!
If you have Medical Assistance and/or CHIP, please carefully read the information below.
What is continuous coverage and why is it ending?
In March 2020, the federal government allowed states to keep Medicaid and CHIP coverage open regardless of eligibility as part of COVID-19 pandemic relief. Pennsylvania continued to send annual renewal packets during this time, but most people did not lose coverage for changes in income or for not completing their renewal.
A federal law passed in December 2022 ends continuous coverage on April 1, 2023. As of April 1, 2023, DHS must end MA and/or CHIP coverage if a person does not complete their renewal or if they have income or other changes that make them ineligible for MA or CHIP at the time of their renewal.
Renewals will take place over 12 months, and no one will be disenrolled without having a chance to complete a renewal.
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.
It is very important that you complete and return the renewal forms. Please complete your renewal if you know your case has changed OR if nothing has changed. By completing your renewal, DHS can keep your MA or CHIP coverage open or connect your to other affordable health coverage options if you no longer qualify. There are four ways you can complete and submit your renewal:
- By mail — Complete and return the forms by mailing them back in the provided envelope
- Online — Complete your renewal online in COMPASS
- Telephone — Call 1-866-550-4355 to talk to a customer service representative
- In-Person — Complete and submit your renewal in person at any local county assistance office (CAO)
Completing your renewal will help DHS determine if you are still eligible for MA. If you are still eligible, your MA coverage will continue.
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 by contacting the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 or 1-215-560-7226 in Philadelphia, or reporting it online through your COMPASS account.
Click here for more information on this process at the PA DHS website>
Click here for a printable PDF of more information >
If you are a LVF client and have questions, please contact your therapist/case manager.