CONTACT
Barb Tyler, Office of Communications, (531) 530-7484,
barb.tyler@nebraska.gov
LINCOLN – Following the recent passage of federal legislation, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is resuming regular reviews of Medicaid eligibility. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid members have kept Medicaid coverage even if no longer eligible.
Starting March 1, each Nebraska Medicaid member's current eligibility will be reviewed starting up to 90 days prior to their renewal month. Members with April and May renewal months will be reviewed first. It will take approximately twelve months to review all cases. A member can find out their own renewal month by logging into their ACCESSNebraska account or calling toll-free (855) 632-7633.
This week, DHHS is sending out a letter to many Nebraska Medicaid members at their last-known addresses. Members who did not complete a prior renewal or whom DHHS has determined were no longer eligible (but kept their coverage) during the pandemic will receive this letter. The importance of members making sure their contact information is up to date is the purpose of the letter. If information is needed from a member to confirm current Medicaid eligibility, Nebraska Medicaid needs to be able to reach the member. If Nebraska Medicaid is not able to reach the member, the member could unnecessarily lose Medicaid coverage.
Members can make sure their contact information is up to date by logging into their ACCESSNebraska account or calling toll-free (855) 632-7633.
In partnership with its health plans, Nebraska Medicaid will take extra steps to reach members, including those letters returned as undeliverable. These extra steps will include phone calls and other outreach.
In partnership with provider and advocacy organizations, Nebraska Medicaid is providing written materials that can be shared at provider's offices and other locations explaining what members need to do at this time to avoid unnecessarily losing coverage. Social media is also being used for outreach. DHHS asks for their members to help in sharing these materials.
“Over the last three years of the pandemic, members might have moved and not updated their contact information with DHHS. It's really important that together, we do all we can to reach these members. We need members to make sure their contact information is up to date," said DHHS CEO Dannette R. Smith. “We don't want Nebraskans to unnecessarily lose coverage."
“We need to do all we can to reach our members," said Kevin Bagley, Nebraska Medicaid director. “We will work with our health care plans and community partners throughout the state to accomplish this vital work."
Members who are found ineligible for Medicaid will have their information forwarded to the federal marketplace. The marketplace will follow up with members about other coverage options; depending on the member's situation, coverage may be at no or relatively little cost.