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Central New York

End of the Public Health Emergency and Continuous Coverage

New York State has laid out a timeline for resuming annual renewals for Public Health Insurance Coverage. The Medicaid eligibility reviews had been halted since the pandemic. Anyone in New York covered by Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan any time beginning March 2020 has stayed covered through continuous coverage until March 31, 2023.

Some New Yorkers with Medicaid began receiving renewal packets in March 2023, and everyone will receive them over the next year. The first date enrollees can lose coverage if they do not renew or if they no longer qualify is July 1, 2023. Every single person receiving Medicaid will be checked over the next 14 months to make sure they’re still eligible for the program that provides health care for people with low incomes or disabilities.

This is a health equity issue that could result in loss of health coverage access being concentrated in groups that already face more barriers & disparities. If people receiving Medicaid don’t respond over the coming months to renewal letters from the county or state, they could be cut off from coverage and might not discover their insurance has been canceled until they go to pick up a prescription and are turned away at a pharmacy counter.

Inclusive Alliance is developing resources with our partners to educate and inform the community about the renewal process.  Keep this page bookmarked for updated resources and contact information.

End of Continuous Coverage Timeline

 The first set of notices went out in April and May to kick off the first set of renewals.

Health Insurance End Date Period To Renew
June 30, 2023  May 16 - June 15
July 31, 2023 June 16 - July 15
August 31, 2023 July 16 - August 15
September 30, 2023 August 16 - September 15
October 31, 2023 September 16 - October 15
November 30, 2023 October 16 - November 15
December 31, 2023* November 16 - December 15*
January 31, 2024* December 16 - January 15*
February 29, 2024 January 16 - February 15
March 31, 2024 February 16- March 15
April 30, 2024 March 16 - April 15
May 31, 2024 April 16 - May 31

*Regular Open Enrollment periods for Qualified Health Plans.

 

Contact Information By County

Need help? Health Navigators are available to help individuals and families select a health plan, including Qualified Health Plans, the Essential Plan, Medicaid, and Child Health plus through the NY State of Health Official Health Plan Marketplace. This service is free, local, and confidential.

 
 

Cayuga County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430

Cortland County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430

Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County: (877) 211-8667
 

Herkimer County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430
 
 

Madison County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430
 
 

Oneida County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430
 
 

Onondaga County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430

The Salvation Army Syracuse Area: (315) 479-1155
 
 

Oswego County

ACR Health: 315-475-2430

Oswego County Opportunities: (315) 342-0888

 

 

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's for those who currently have health insurance through New York State Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan 
 
 
I haven’t had to renew Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Essential Plan insurance for myself and/or my family members in a few years. Does that mean I no longer have to renew my insurance each year?
No, you will have to renew your insurance again.  Due to requirements in federal law and other flexibilities, NY State of Health has kept you enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan without requiring you to renew your insurance every year.  However, federal law has changed and regular renewal processes will resume over the course of a year, beginning in Spring 2023.  NY State of Health will notify you via email, text, and/or mail when it’s time for you to renew each year.
When will I need to start renewing Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Essential Plan insurance for myself and/or my family members?

This depends on when your current insurance is set to end.  Renewals will occur over the course of the year, the way they did before the federal law changed.  That means not everyone will renew their insurance at the same time.  For example, if your insurance is set to end in October, you will receive your notice in early September and you will need to act by the end of October.  NY State of Health will notify you via email, text, and/or by mail when it is time to renew insurance for yourself and/or your family members.  It is very important to pay close attention to all communications sent by NY State of Health through email, text, or the mail so your renewal goes smoothly and to avoid a loss of your insurance.

In the meantime, you should make sure your address, phone number and other contact information is up to date in your NY State of Health account, so you receive important notices.  Log into your NY State of Health account, call 1-855-355-5777, or contact an enrollment assistor to check and update your information.

How will I know when it is time to renew Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Essential Plan insurance for myself and/or my family members?

NY State of Health will send you a notice via email or mail when it is time to renew insurance for yourself and/or your family members.  Be sure to confirm your NY State of Health account has your most up to date contact information so that you receive these renewal notices.

You can also sign up to receive text alerts from NY State of Health.  These alerts will tell you when it's time to renew your insurance and other important information.  To subscribe, text START to 1-866-988-0327.

What can I do to prepare for this change?

Make sure your address, phone number, and other contact information is up to date in your NY State of Health account.  Log into your NY State of Health account, call 1-855-355-5777, or contact an enrollment assistor to check and update your information.

You can also sign up to receive text alerts from NY State of Health, so you don't miss important health insurance updates, including when it's time to renew your insurance.  To subscribe, text START to 1-866-988-0327.  Learn more at https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/COVID-19-Changes.

Where can I find information about my enrollment end date?

You will receive your renewal notice before your enrollment end date. Your enrollment end date is the date your insurance will end if you do not follow the instructions on your renewal notice.  You can find your enrollment end date in the following ways:

 

What will happen if I do not renew Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Essential Plan insurance for myself and/or my family members by the deadline I am given in my renewal notice from NY State of Health?
If you do not renew insurance for yourself and/or family members by the deadline given, you are at risk of losing your health insurance.  It is very important that you pay attention to the communications sent from NY State of Health and renew your insurance by the deadline given.  If you think you missed the deadline, call 1-855-355-5777 or contact an enrollment assistor for help in getting re-enrolled in insurance as soon as possible.
What if NY State of Health determines that I and/or my family members are no longer eligible for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan after processing my renewal and I lose my insurance?
If you or a family member no longer qualify for Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan, you may be eligible to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) through NY State of Health.  Enrollment in NY State of Health will remain open so anyone who loses their Medicaid, Child Health Plus or Essential Plan coverage during the redetermination process will be able to enroll in a QHP, if they qualify.  NY State of Health offers a broad choice of QHPs with comprehensive benefits.  More people than ever are qualifying for financial assistance to pay for their premiums.  Visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220) to learn more and see if you might qualify for financial assistance.
Are there resources available in other languages?
Yes! New York State Health provides guides and resources in the following languages:

 

NEW!
Resources Your Organization Can Print & Post

Guides and templates you can use to educate and inform Your Network about these important changes