On May 11, COVID-19 emergencies will end, and millions of Medicaid beneficiaries may lose valued benefits. 
Here’s why:  It was March 13, 2020, when the President declared that the COVID-19 pandemic was a national emergency. Trillions of federal dollars have supported the health and welfare of the American people through numerous lifesaving programs and initiatives. For example, many received increases in food stamps and, because of emergency waivers during the pandemic, many could enroll in Medicaid for much-needed health care without the need to meet qualifications. When the emergency officially ends on May 11, many will be deemed ineligible for not meeting Medicaid policy guidelines. 

If you or someone you know enrolled in Medicaid during the pandemic, a Letter of Redetermination will arrive in the mail from MDHHS – the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Completion of the document will determine if the qualifications are met for continued coverage. For any questions about this issue, or anything related to Medicare and Medicaid, contact: Michigan Medicare-Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), 1-800-803-7174.

Calls to this toll-free number are routed by area code and calls from 313 go directly to the MMAP counselors at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA). For Medicaid recipients enrolled in long-term care programs administered by DAAA, our role is to ensure that eligible beneficiaries will not be deemed ineligible for continued services.  
If you or someone you know may lose coverage after the redetermination, it makes sense to take care of routine office visits, medical tests, and prescriptions while insurance coverage is in place.