About 220K Ohioans are expected to lose Medicaid benefits they were allowed to keep during the pandemic, beginning in April of 2023.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the federal government prohibited states from kicking people off Medicaid, even if they were no longer eligible. But new congressional action has begun the “unwinding” of those pandemic-era benefits.

A federal appropriations bill passed in December set the rule prohibiting states from removing people from Medicaid to expire at the end of March 2023, meaning Ohio is now reviewing members’ eligibilities once again. About 220,000 enrollees in Ohio are expected to be deemed ineligible as the benefits “unwinding” process continues over the next year, the state estimates.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid sent renewal packets to verify enrollees’ information between Feb. 21 and March 1. Termination notices started going out on April 1. Those who get a termination notice will still be covered through the last day of the month they received the letter.

Not everyone will be removed from the program all at once. States plan to verify all recipients’ eligibility over periods of nine months to one year.

States will mail a renewal form to your home. It’s important to update your contact information, including home address, phone number and email. The federal government also requires states to contact you in another way — by phone, text message or email — to remind you to fill out the form.

You will have at least 30 days to fill out the form. If you do not fill out the form, states will be able to remove you from Medicaid.

In order to prepare for your renewal, make sure your address is updated with the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

  • Call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline: Calling will connect you with a representative who can update your contact information. Representatives are available Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. as well as Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 1.800.324.8680.
  • Online Portal: If you have an Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal account, you can login and report changes to your contact information.
  • Contact your local JFS: The best and easiest option is to contact your County Department of Job and Family Services. A JFS caseworker can assist in updating your information. This is the quickest and easiest way to verify or change your contact information.

For those who discover they no longer qualify for Medicaid, Ohio Health Benefits can help connect you to a plan that’s right for you. If you’re under age 65 and not eligible for health insurance through your employer, a Marketplace plan for Individuals and Families may be right for you.

Our advisors are here to help. Talk with us by calling toll free at (866) 235-8378 or click here to email us your name and phone number for us to call you. We’ll help you understand your options.