California will begin reviewing the eligibility of at least 15 million Medi-Cal enrollees, health officials said.
Thus, starting this April, California has 14 months to review the eligibility of beneficiaries of the Medi-Cal program, which provides access to health services to children, pregnant women, adults, seniors and people with disabilities who have low incomes.
After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, April marks the start of a review in which state officials believe at least 2 to 3 million people could lose coverage because they no longer qualify or are not informed that they must renew it.
"On April 1, the department began its Medicaid renewal process for about 15 million individuals across the state of California," said Yingjia Huang, deputy assistant director of the California Department of Health Services, at a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services where experts met to discuss changes to the MediCal program.
Huang noted that this process takes place every year and is completely normal. However, he recalled that it was suspended due to the pandemic and said it is necessary for Medi-Cal members to update their personal information, such as their address and contact channels either at county Medi-Cal offices or online at benefitscal.com o mybenefitscalwin.org.
"The goal is to make it accessible to all Medi-Cal members," he said.
Huang also warned that enrollees must update their information either in yellow envelopes, online or by phone before the deadline, otherwise they may lose their Medi-Cal coverage.
Those who are ineligible for Medi-Cal because they earned more during the pandemic will automatically be eligible for the Covered California program, which allows individuals and small businesses to purchase private health insurance at federally subsidized rates.
Mayra Álvarez, executive director of Children's Partnership, said: "We need to help families maintain their coverage and that of their children as we emerge from this public health emergency."
Alvarez said at least 5.7 million children rely on Medi-Cal coverage and 70 percent of them are from communities of color, which have been marginalized for years.
"It's a lifeline for many in our communities," he acknowledged.
She also recommended that all those who are enrolled make sure to follow all the steps to maintain their coverage, especially communities of color, since they are the ones who most support Medi-Cal, but also those who are most likely to lose coverage.
"Structurally racist policies and practices have created an environment in which families of color experience significantly greater instability in employment, income, and housing," she acknowledged, noting that this instability increases the risk of interruptions in health care coverage.
Finally, María Romero-Mora of the Department of Health Services, noted that "anyone, regardless of their immigration status or income, can apply for Medi-Cal," and specified that Medi-Cal offices and online platforms are available to help families with any paperwork related to their eligibility.
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