Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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Medicaid is an insurance and health care lifeline for millions of people in the United States.
Due to continuous coverage during the COVID-19 public health emergency, enrollments hit an all-time high of 94 million — 28% of the U.S. population — in April. After that, the number of people with Medicaid began to drop because eligibility reviews resumed.
As of this month, more than 9 million people in the U.S. have lost Medicaid coverage because of a disenrollment process called “Medicaid Unwinding.” Already, more than 170,000 people in the Silver State have lost coverage — at least temporarily.
Unwinding has been especially frustrating in states like Nevada. That’s because a system glitch for automatic renewals reviewed households instead of individuals in 29 states and the District of Columbia. This resulted in 500,000 people nationwide getting dropped from Medicaid in error. More than 100,000 of those people live in Nevada.
The result is that many Nevadans disenrolled during the unwinding lost coverage for procedural reasons, which means paperwork problems and system errors — and not because they didn’t qualify.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced action to ensure that these 500,000 enrollees regain their coverage and prevent others with Medicaid from improper disenrollment as the unwinding continues.
In Nevada, redeterminations have been temporarily paused and the 114,000 who lost coverage for procedural reasons have had it temporarily reinstated. Part of the glitch involved households where children have coverage, but the adults in the household do not. If someone in your household depends on you to renew their coverage, particularly a child, make sure to update their mailing address — and check your mail — so that they don’t lose Medicaid.
With eligibility reviews expected to continue through the summer of 2024, it’s critical for anyone who relies on Medicaid or CHIP (Medicaid for children known in this state as Nevada Check Up) to take steps to protect their coverage.
Before the PHE, people enrolled in Medicaid were reviewed at least once a year to make sure they were still eligible for coverage in their state or territory. The renewal process — also known as “redetermination” — was paused during the PHE, which meant anyone who had or got coverage during that time kept their Medicaid.
GoodRx has created a Nevada Medicaid Guide to help you navigate the renewal process. One of the most critical steps is making sure DWSS has your current mailing address, cellphone number and email address. The quickest way to change your mailing address is to use the Update my Address form online at dhcfp.nv.gov/UpdateMyAddress, available in English and Spanish. You should also check to make sure your information is accurate through the Access Nevada portal.
When it’s your turn to renew, you should receive a packet in the mail. DWSS may also text or email you about your renewal. If you lost coverage because of the system glitch, you should receive a notice in the mail from DWSS. You can use this notification to potentially get reimbursed for medical costs you incurred during the lapse in coverage.
DWSS may also send you a text or email to remind you about the renewal process. If you need to speak to someone about your status, you can call the Access Nevada helpline at 1-800-992-0900.
If you’ve lost Medicaid, but think you still qualify for coverage, you should reapply or appeal the decision.
While you wait, there are many helpful resources available at GoodRx.com/covered from health care experts that can help you navigate insurance changes.
If you’ve lost Medicaid because you are no longer eligible, Nevada’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, Nevada Health Link, has plans that could cost you $10 or less per month with a premium subsidy. If you are a student, see if you qualify for a campus health plan through your college or university. If you’re younger than 26, you may be able to join your parents’ health insurance.
Even without insurance, you may have low-cost or free health care options near you. And regardless of insurance status, GoodRx can help you save on prescription medications.
Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor for GoodRx. She has been a health journalist for more than a decade.
