By Blue Shield Promise
25 Oct 2023, 08:36 AM EDT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the healthcare system was overwhelmed, the federal government gave more funding to states for Medicaid. In exchange, states were required to keep people enrolled in Medicaid until the emergency ended. This “continuous coverage” allowed millions of people to continue using Medi-Cal during the health crisis until the end of March 2023.
Starting in April, Medi-Cal resumed its normal renewal process. This means that the state must determine whether people currently enrolled in Medi-Cal remain eligible, a process known as “redetermination.”
While some had their enrollment automatically renewed because the state was able to determine that they remained eligible, thousands of others have already lost their coverage because Medi-Cal was unable to obtain additional information about their eligibility. The California Department of Health Services, which administers the Medi-Cal program, estimates that about three million Californians are at risk of losing their health coverage. This is why it is important to help the public in the redetermination process.
Get informed and keep your coverage
One of the main problems in guaranteeing that the population maintains its coverage is the lack of information and support during the process.
Some people may not have noticed the renewal letter the county mailed them in a yellow or other colored envelope. Others have moved and probably never received the information or notice that they no longer qualify for Medi-Cal. For many who received the renewal letter, the process is difficult to understand.
“At Blue Shield Promise, we began working to resolve these issues long before the state resumed the normal renewal process,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “We received thousands of inquiries from our members in the call center and established strong partnerships to support our providers, clinics and community organizations in San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Together, as a community, we are actively informing Medi-Cal beneficiaries and assisting our members with documentation.”
In San Diego, the Chicana Federation has reached out to thousands of beneficiaries and is conducting campaigns in neighborhoods and shopping centers, as well as distributing information about Medi-Cal at festivals and community events.
“We are leaders in advocating for equity and access for our communities, and making sure our Medi-Cal population maintains their coverage is our priority,” said Federation CEO Liz Ramirez.
In Los Angeles County, Blue Shield Promise is helping inform Medi-Cal beneficiaries through the 12 Community Resource Centers it jointly operates with LA Care Health Plan. The centers offer health and social services, including fitness, cooking and nutrition classes, as well as rental and housing assistance, to everyone in the community. They also offer informational materials and in-person assistance with the redetermination process to those who need it.
Additionally, Southeast Rio Vista YMCA is offering brochures, information and assistance to Medi-Cal beneficiaries at local events, including monthly food deliveries to hundreds of people; daily workshops and programs for seniors; and distribution of backpacks for students.
“The objective of this extensive contact and communication plan is to amplify the campaign Keep your Medi-Cal coverage that is being carried out by the state Department of Health Services,” Cerf said. “We want to make sure all eligible people maintain their coverage so they have access to the care they need.”
Tips for maintaining your Medi-Cal coverage:
- Take action to keep your coverage: Local Medi-Cal offices review each member’s eligibility once a year based on the month they first applied for Medi-Cal or when they report changes in their household.
- Update your information: Make sure your local Medi-Cal office can contact you when it’s time to renew. Log in (or create your account) online at https://benefitscal.com/Public/login to update your address, phone, and email.
- Keep an eye on your renewal package: After updating your contact information, check your mailbox. If your local Medi-Cal office has all of your information and you still qualify, it will mail you a letter letting you know that your Medi-Cal has been automatically renewed. If they do not have all of your information, they will mail you a large yellow or other colored envelope with a completed renewal form.
- Verify information: Medi-Cal beneficiaries will need to verify and update their personal and financial information during the redetermination. This includes income, household size, and other details to determine if you qualify.
- Please respect the deadline: It is important to fill out the form within the established deadline. Otherwise, you could lose coverage.
- Submit your renewal: There are several methods to renew your coverage.
- Internet: It is the fastest and easiest way. Sign in or create an account at https://benefitscal.com/Public/login.
- By mail- Follow the instructions included in the renewal form.
- By phone- Call the number indicated on your renewal form. The wait can be long.
- In person- Go to your local Medi-Cal office. The wait can be long. Visit Family Resource Centers (sandiegocounty.gov) or call San Diego Access at 1-866-262-9881.
- If you need more help:
- Contact your local Medi-Cal office or a special advisor (Health Enrollment Navigator).
- In San Diego County, visit the Health and Human Services Agency website.
- In Los Angeles County, visit the Department of Public Social Services’ dedicated Medi-Cal webpage.
- You can also call by phone:
- San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency: 1-866-262-9881 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services: 1-866-613-3777 Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Blue Shield Promise: 1-855-636-5251 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Contact your local Medi-Cal office or a special advisor (Health Enrollment Navigator).