Medicaid has been reviewing coverage annually since 2023, which means you have to renew annually. This may mean providing additional information for approval.

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) was a provision protecting Medicaid coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its unwinding, Medicaid has been reviewing your coverage annually. This has resulted in more than 25 million Medicaid recipients losing their coverage, according to a recent data analysis.

If you renewed your coverage for 2024, you’ll have to do so again for 2025. If you’re one of those who lost coverage, you can apply for other healthcare insurance options, or you can reapply for Medicaid to see if you still qualify. Here’s what you need to know.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government increased funding for Medicaid in 2020. This resulted in continuous enrollment for those who qualified, and it meant you didn’t have to reapply.

However, as of 2023, everyone on Medicaid must renew their coverage, which could result in some people losing their coverage if their situation changed. States had until June 1, 2024, to complete this process.

If your coverage was renewed for 2024, look for a letter you received from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) in your state with instructions on how to renew for 2025.

If the letter says you still qualify, you don’t have to do anything else. If the letter asks for additional information or provides a renewal form to fill out, send the information and filled-out form back to Medicaid as soon as possible.

This usually involves reporting your most recent household income and verifying your address and contact information. DHFS will use this information to redetermine your coverage.

If, however, you lost your coverage after PHE expired, and you wish to see if you might still qualify, reapply on Medicaid.gov. You can do so any time. Then you’ll follow the same process by submitting all the necessary information for approval.

The Medicaid agency typically processes your application in 45 days. If you also need a disability determination, it may take up to 90 days.

But, determining your eligibility may take even longer if you don’t provide the necessary documents. That’s why it’s best to apply as soon as possible and double-check to ensure you’ve included all the required information and documentation.

How do I check my Medicaid status?

If you’re unsure of the current status of your healthcare coverage, contact your state’s Medicaid office. You can call 1-877-267-2323 and request the phone number.

Or, if your state offers an online portal for Medicaid coverage, you can check your profile there.

Practical tips for renewing your Medicaid

Here are a few tips to help make the process as smooth as possible and avoid coverage gaps:

  • Stay organized: Keep a physical file folder, or start a digital folder on your computer or phone, where you keep all the application information, mail, and notes.
  • Put deadlines on your calendar: Note important deadlines on a calendar you check regularly.
  • Gather your documentation: If you know what documentation you’ll need for the application, such as proof of income, consider collecting it in advance to have it ready.
  • Make responding a priority: Follow up promptly with any requests regarding your renewal.

Read more about how to renew your Medicaid coverage here.

How do I help someone else with their Medicaid renewal?

Sometimes a friend, family member, or attorney may need to help another person apply for Medicaid or renew their current coverage.

To help someone renew their Medicaid, you’ll need to help them fill out the application and send the proper documentation along with it. The application may require them to give you permission to make the application for them.

You’ll need to know the details of their situation so that you can answer questions about their eligibility. You may also need access to their financial records, such as their most recent tax bill, to find the right documentation.

In some cases, the state may also request an interview in person.

To start applying on behalf of someone else, find the application form for your state online or call your state Medicaid office for more information.

Whether you’ve been renewed every year or you lost coverage and wish to reapply, you may requalify for Medicaid. You may be eligible if you fall below certain financial thresholds or fulfill certain criteria, such as being a pregnant female, a minor, or a person receiving social security benefits.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also expanded eligibility for children to at least 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and gave states the option to extend it to adults with income at or below that level. Most states have chosen to do so.

That said, every state has its own criteria for what makes someone eligible for Medicaid. You can check if your state expanded its coverage on Healthcare.gov, as well as find your state’s eligibility requirements.

If your income has increased or your household size has changed, your eligibility for Medicaid may have changed too — but it depends on your state.

How much money you can make while keeping Medicaid depends on your state and household situation.

You may qualify for financial eligibility if your annual household income is under a certain threshold and you have a certain number of people in your household.

This limit varies by state, but in most cases, the threshold is 138% of the FPL. This equals $25,820 for a family of three or $15,060 for an individual in 2024.

However, the threshold is 0% for adults who don’t have children in some states and up to 221% for adults with a family of three (in the District of Columbia).

Remember that income isn’t the only way to qualify for Medicaid. You may also qualify under nonfinancial criteria, like age and specific health conditions.

If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you can look for healthcare coverage through your state’s Marketplace.

These plans cover healthcare needs such as:

  • doctor visits
  • urgent care
  • hospital visits
  • prescription drugs

Your premium will depend on the plan you choose and where you live. Healthcare.gov allows you to look up available plans in your area.

You may also be able to get health insurance coverage through your employer. The premium, copayment, deductible, and coinsurance are important features to look at when considering the plans available.

Group health insurance plans are another option. You may qualify for them through a union, an alumni association, a professional or religious group, or another organization you belong to.

And if you’re 65 years or older, remember that you qualify for healthcare coverage through the Medicare program.

To learn more about the resources available, call your state’s Medicaid agency. A list of contact information by state is available here.

The Medicaid website is another great place to start as you’re learning about how to apply or renew. Its beneficiary resources page offers a list of how-tos, FAQs, and resources by state.

You may also be able to find an application at other locations in your community, such as Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

Even if you think you may not qualify for Medicaid anymore, make sure to respond to any Medicaid state agency communications and provide any documentation in a timely fashion. This way, if you qualify, you can minimize any gaps in coverage.

If you no longer qualify, you can turn to several other options for affordable healthcare coverage, such as your state’s healthcare insurance marketplace.