Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid & CHIP Coverage Renewal

From Medicaid.gov

Q: I have Medicaid/CHIP and heard that I will need to renew my coverage, but I have not gotten anything from my state Medicaid/CHIP office yet. What should I do? 

A: Reach out to the state Medicaid/CHIP office and make sure that they have your updated contact information, such as your mailing address. This helps make sure that your renewal form will be sent to the right address when it is time to renew your coverage. You can find the contact information for the state Medicaid office at Medicaid.gov/renewals. 

Q: I got a letter from my state about renewing my Medicaid/CHIP coverage. What do I need to do to make sure my coverage is renewed? 

A: First, you should read the whole letter to see what information the state needs to help renew your coverage. Complete any information the state needs on the renewal form and provide copies of any documents that they ask for to support that information. For parents: You should always return your renewal form so the state can see if you or anyone in your family is eligible for coverage. Even if you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, your child may still be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. After you send your renewal form and other documentation back to your state, look out for follow-up information from the state Medicaid or CHIP office about your coverage. 

Q: I have not had to renew my Medicaid/CHIP coverage in years. Why is my state asking me to renew my coverage now? 

A: Each year, Medicaid coverage must be renewed. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people with Medicaid and CHIP did not have to worry about renewing their coverage because states paused renewals to ensure as many people as possible stayed covered during the pandemic. States are now restarting yearly renewals for everyone enrolled in their Medicaid program. 

Q: I got a letter from my state Medicaid/CHIP office saying that my coverage has been terminated. What do I do now? 

A: First, make sure to read the notice from the state to see why you lost Medicaid/CHIP coverage. If the state ended your coverage because they did not have the information they needed to complete the renewal, then you can contact the state to provide the missing information. Find the state’s contact information at Medicaid.gov/renewals. If you think that you are still eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and the state wrongly ended your coverage, you can ask the state for a second review and appeal the decision. If the state ended your coverage because they found that you are no longer eligible for the program, you will need to find another option for health coverage. If there is a change in your situation (e.g., your income changes), you can reapply for Medicaid or CHIP at any time. 

Q: I recently lost my Medicaid/CHIP coverage. What other options do I have for health insurance coverage? 

A: First, you should check with your employer to see if employer-sponsored coverage is an option for you. The Health Insurance Marketplace® at HealthCare.gov may also be an option for affordable, quality health coverage.