Helping our Medicaid patients avoid a lapse in coverage

Most Iowa Medicaid members will need to complete a new renewal packet in the coming months to avoid losing their coverage.

Medicaid patients make up a wide segment of our UI Health Care patient base, so it’s important for our faculty and staff to be aware of this change to help create awareness and provide guidance.

Here’s what you need to know to help our Medicaid patients:

What is changing?

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which included a requirement that Medicaid programs keep people continuously enrolled.

When the COVID-19 public health emergency ended on April 1, this continuous enrollment also ended, which could impact coverage for a significant number of UI Health Care patients. Medicaid coverage end dates will vary by patient over the coming months, unless the patient takes further action.

What you need to know

• In the coming months, Iowa Medicaid patients will receive a renewal packet in the mail that will need to be completed within 60 days to re-enroll.
• If Medicaid patients do not return this packet within 60 days, they could lose their Medicaid coverage and become uninsured.
• Patients who lose Medicaid coverage will have the option to apply for other coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

What departments can do

• Display this flyer for patients in clinic spaces
  • If you are unable to print flyers in-clinic, please contact lauren-laven@uiowa.edu to order printed copies.
  • Download this flyer in other languages: Spanish, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Swahili
• Assist Iowa Medicaid patients in clinic by directing them to the appropriate state resources to ensure their coverage does not end.
  • hhs.iowa.gov/ime/unwind/CCR
  • 855-889-7985