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Maryland Department of Health releases first month of Medicaid renewal data, urges Marylanders on Medicaid to “check in” and update their information

Baltimore, MD — The Maryland Department of Health today announced the initial data from the first round of Medicaid renewals, which is now posted on the Department’s website. May was the first month during which Maryland processed renewals for Medicaid participants. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid participants did not need to provide renewal information to maintain coverage. Federal law requires states to now begin verifying eligibility information over the course of the next year. For the month of May, Maryland Medicaid processed 119,803 renewals. Of these 119,803 renewals: 

• 76,104 were determined eligible to have their coverage extended. 

• Of this number, 5,504 had not provided updated information but were able to be re-enrolled based on their participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• 10,032 were determined to be not eligible based on information provided and were disenrolled

• 24,643 were disenrolled for procedural reasons, such as not updating eligibility information. 

Medicaid participants who were disenrolled have a 120 day reconsideration period, which allows them to submit their outstanding redetermination information. If they are determined to be eligible, their coverage will be reinstated back to the day they were disenrolled. If they are no longer eligible they will receive information on how to file an appeal. Those disenrolled will also receive information on how to enroll for other low or no cost coverage through Maryland Health Connection, or if they are over 65, they will receive information on enrolling in Medicare. 

“We want to make sure that every Marylander who is eligible for Medicaid stays on Medicaid,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. “If you are on Medicaid, please be sure to ‘check in’ and make sure your information is up to date. If you have a friend or family member on Medicaid, please reach out to make sure they have ‘checked in’”. 

“Maryland’s Medicaid program is committed to transparency and data-driven decision making during this renewal process,” said Deputy Secretary of Health Care Financing and Medicaid Director Ryan Moran. “As we receive additional data about individuals who are disenrolled, we will refine our outreach strategies to ensure we are helping Marylanders who are eligible for Medicaid retain their coverage.” 

Maryland has deployed a number of strategies to support the renewal process, including using eligibility information from SNAP to determine Medicaid eligibility. This process was launched for the first time during this month’s renewal review through a waiver from CMS and was instrumental in helping Medicaid enrollees maintain coverage. 

The Maryland Department of Health is committed to keeping all eligible Marylanders connected to Medicaid services. The department recently launched the Medicaid Check-In campaign to encourage Maryland’s nearly 1.8 million Medicaid participants to monitor their mail, email and text messages and respond right away to maintain coverage.

Marylanders who are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage should visit Maryland Health Connection at https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/ for more information on the options available for low or no cost coverage. 

For more information about Medicaid Check-In, visit marylandhealthconnection.gov/checkin or health.maryland.gov/mmcp.

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.