Do you need to re-apply for Medicaid every year?

Yes, you will need to re-apply for Medicaid every year. But don’t worry: Doing so is easy.

What is Medicaid

First, a reminder: Medicaid is a program jointly funded by the federal government and the states to provide health insurance plans to low-income Americans. Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical care and is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Your Medicaid eligibility is based on your income level. And adults, children, pregnant people, the elderly, and people with disabilities can all become Medicaid recipients. Right now in the U.S., Medicaid covers 25 percent of all children, 21 percent of low-income adults, and 60 percent of all nursing home residents. 

If you are one of the 50 million Americans who would be without health care coverage if they did not have Medicaid, it’s very important that you remember to reapply for this coverage each year. 

How to re-apply for Medicaid

But don’t worry—reapplying can be fast and easy. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can now apply for Medicaid, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and Marketplace health coverage all in one place. When you complete an application on the Health Insurance Marketplace, you will find out not only what Obamacare plans are available where you are and their premium rates, but whether you are eligible for Medicaid, too. 

If you already have Medicaid and want to re-enroll, you will need to reapply to check your eligibility each year. You’ll need to have information about your income and household size on hand to do so. Different states have different eligibility requirements for Medicaid. And if you’ve had changes in your income or household, this might impact your eligibility. 

When to re-apply for Medicaid

Don’t forget that you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP at any point in the year, and not just during Open Enrollment. 

Ready to start the process of reapplying for your Medicaid coverage? Or looking to see if you might qualify for Medicaid coverage? Either way, HealthSherpa can help. You can start here to learn more about Medicaid, CHIP, and how to apply for these programs here. Also remember that you can always contact the HealthSherpa Consumer Advocate phone number at 855-772-2663. HealthSherpa is a certified partner of HealthCare.gov that can help you enroll in Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace health plans.