Continuous coverage requirement to end March 31

With the federal government ending the continuous Medicaid coverage requirement on March 31, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) is notifying Medicaid members that eligibility renewals will begin on April 1. DOM urges all Medicaid members to make sure their contact information is correct by visiting www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered.

During the COVID-19 public emergency, states and territories have continued to cover every person who has been eligible for Medicaid on or after March 18, 2020, even if their income or circumstances have changed and otherwise would no longer be eligible.

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) passed in December, Congress has now required states to begin the process of redetermining the eligibility of all Medicaid members. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has instructed all states to begin normal redetermination operations by April 1, 2023, at the latest.

To prepare for the return to annual renewals, DOM is sending notices to recipients alerting them to the change in federal requirements and to look for renewal forms in the mail in the months ahead.

Members can update their information online at www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered, or by calling DOM at 1-800-421-2408 or 601-359-6050.

DOM has been actively increasing its eligibility workforce through various recruitment and retention efforts, including hiring temporary staff to help with the caseload and streamlining training requirements.

In January, DOM also launched a Stay Covered campaign, which includes a Coverage Champions program for community partners, advocates and providers to support Medicaid members and prepare for the end of the continuous coverage requirement. The Stay Covered webpage (www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered) includes a media toolkit, a link for members to update their contact information, and more important information about the unwinding process.

Following federal guidance, renewals for all current Medicaid members must be initiated within 12 months following April 1, and all renewals must be completed within 14 months.

When DOM begins redeterminations, electronic verification sources will first be used to try to renew a member’s benefits.

If more information is needed to complete a renewal, the member will be mailed a renewal form, and they will have 30 days to fill it out and return it. DOM is also reaching out to members via email and text messages.

Find more information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) online at www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered.

Published March 6, 2023