New York’s Health Insurance Programs to Undergo Major Changes in 2023
Important changes are coming to New York’s health insurance programs. New federal rules will require New York State to begin redetermining eligibility for public program enrollees in the Spring of 2023. Enrollees in Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP) and the Essential Plan (EP) have not had to renew their health insurance since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, the December 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act ended the continuous coverage requirements starting Spring 2023.
Beginning in Spring 2023, renewal notices will be sent to enrollees in these programs based on their enrollment end dates. Upon receiving a renewal notice, each patient must renew their insurance by the deadline stated in the notice. Otherwise, they will risk having a gap in coverage. Deadlines will be based on the enrollees’ enrollment end dates, and will range from June 30, 2023 through May 31, 2024.
In an effort to minimize the number of New Yorkers at risk of losing their Medicaid, CHP or EP coverage, New York State is working with providers and practices to inform New Yorkers about renewing their coverage and exploring other available health insurance options if they no longer qualify for Medicaid, CHP or EP.
What does my practice need to do?
- Inform your practice staff – especially front desk/registration staff – about this upcoming change. Ensure your staff is prepared to answer common questions by sharing the Toolkit script with them.
- Print the NYS Fast Facts and have this on hand for patients
- Build in a standard check-in/check-out workflow/procedure to remind patients that: there may be important changes to their health insurance, they should review the Fast Facts flyer, and they should keep an eye out for a mailed renewal notice from New York State of Health (NYSOH) or New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA).
- Utilize the toolkit materials. Print posters and hang them in your office. Materials can be printed in languages preferred by your community/patient population.
Patient Resources
As shared above, New York State has developed an online Communications Tool Kit that includes many resources you can use in your office, on social media, and on your website. The resources are available in 14 languages. You could print the poster and fact sheet to display at your check-in area. Use the pre-written social media posts and images to share information through your social media account(s). Use the drop-in articles to add this information to your website. If you have TVs in your waiting room, you can play videos while your patients wait.
Additionally, the Tool Kit includes a call script you can share with your staff to ensure they are prepared to answer questions your patients might ask about how to keep their insurance. Patients with questions may also reach out to the NY State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777 or to their local Department of Social Services office to ask questions.
More information about these changes is available on the NY State of Health website and the Department of Health’s Medicaid website. Both sites are updated regularly.
Thank you for the important work you do to keep our communities healthy. We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure New Yorkers remain informed throughout this renewal process and stay connected to their affordable health insurance.
