Continuous Medicaid Coverage To End March 31, 2023

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency on Jan. 27, 2020. This allowed Texas to provide Medicaid recipients with continuous coverage. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program has been informed that with the recent passage of a new federal law, continued Medicaid eligibility will end March 31, 2023.

Beginning April 1, 2023, all Medicaid members, including children receiving ECI services, will need to have their Medicaid eligibility redetermined. Medicaid members should look out for renewal notices mailed in an envelope that says “Action Required” in red or sent electronically to members signed up for electronic notices.

The Plan for Unwinding of Medicaid Coverage in Texas

The plan for the unwinding of continuous Medicaid coverage in Texas is projected to take place over a 12-month period. During this time Texas will be required to initiate renewals for everyone that is part of the Medicaid program at this time. This full and fresh redetermination for eligibility to receive Medicaid is thought to include even those members that have successfully re-enrolled in Medicaid during the past year but will most likely continue their current review schedule.

Expected Timeline

• February 2023 – Texas sent out initial notices (not renewal packets) to individuals who have benefitted from the continuous Medicaid coverage to inform them the redeterminations would begin soon and to watch for their packet.
• March 2023 – HHSC will start checking electronic data sources for members that fall into Group/Cohort 1.
• April 2023 – Members that fall in Group/Cohort 1 will receive renewals packets or requests for information. Members will have 30 days to respond.
• June 1, 2023 – The projected earliest date that individuals in Group/Cohort 1 will no longer be enrolled in Medicaid.
• Texas plans to initiate the renewals for the members in Group/Cohort 2 and Group/Cohort 3 in the months following the timeline detailed above.

Important Details of the Renewals and Redeterminations

• Families have 30 days to respond to renewal requests. They also now have 30 days (up from 10 days) to respond to requests for additional information.
• Texas will initiate renewals for an entire household at once. This will allow the family to be on the same renewal cycle moving forward.
• Individuals who are no longer eligible for the program they are currently on will automatically be checked for eligibility for other programs such as different Medicaid program, CHIP, or Healthy Texas Women. The health insurance marketplace will open the marketplace to these individuals needing to enroll through the marketplace so people will not need to wait until the next annual open enrollment period. 
• HHSC is required to use at least 2 forms of communication to contact families – mail, telephone, or mail and text. The Managed Health Care Organizations (MCOs) plan outreach efforts to inform members of the notification and renewal process.