Renewing your Medicaid benefits

If you have Medicaid or Medicare Savings Plan (MSP) benefits, you may need to renew them every year.

How do I know if I have Medicaid or MSP?

If your state helps pay any of your Medicare costs — like Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance — you likely have Medicaid or MSP.

Medicaid may go by a different name depending on your state. For example, in Colorado it’s called “Health First Colorado” and in Pennsylvania it’s called “Medical Assistance.”

Still not sure? You can contact your state Medicaid office and ask.

How can I get ready to renew?

Make sure your state has your current mailing address, phone number, and email so they can contact you about your Medicaid benefits. You can update your contact information on your state’s portal or by phone.
Check your mail. Your state will mail you a letter that says when you need to renew your Medicaid benefits. Depending on your state, it may come in an envelope that’s a different color, is larger than a normal letter, or says “Action Required.” To make sure there’s no gap in your coverage, send in your renewal paperwork as soon as you can.
Check that you can access your state’s online Medicaid portal. The portal is usually the fastest and easiest way to renew. If you already have a username and password, check that it’s up to date and saved in a safe place. If you need to reset it, you can do that on your state’s portal or by phone.
Have your information ready to go. When you renew, your state may ask for information or documents including:
- Social Security numbers and birth dates of everyone who wants to apply
- Money you get regularly (income) from jobs, Social Security, and other sources
- Bills you pay (expenses) — like rent, mortgage, water, gas, electric, and phone
- The value of items you own (assets) — like vehicles, bank accounts, and stocks
- Money you get or pay for child support
- Your health insurance

What if I get a letter in the mail that I don’t understand?

That’s okay! We know these letters can be confusing. If the letter came from your state’s Medicaid office, contact them directly. If the letter came from Devoted, give us a call and we’re happy to go over it with you.

Once I send in my renewal, how long until I hear back?

It usually takes about 30 to 45 days, or longer during peak times. If it’s been more than 45 days and you haven’t gotten a decision, call your state’s Medicaid office to ask for an update.

What if my state reduces or takes away my Medicaid or MSP benefits?

If you think the decision was wrong, you can appeal. Your denial letter will explain how, and you can contact your state’s Medicaid office with questions. Tips for appeals:

Pay attention to the deadline: Your denial letter will also include a deadline for when to appeal. It’s best to appeal quickly — in some states, if you file within 10 days of the denial, your benefits will continue while they review your appeal.
Get proof of your appeal: If you’re appealing in writing, we recommend getting proof of when you appealed — like delivering it in person and having it date-stamped, or sending it by registered mail. If you’re appealing by phone, write down the name of the person you talked to and the date.

If it turns out you don’t qualify anymore, it’s a good idea to speak with someone who can help you review your options and make sure you’re on the Devoted Health plan with the best benefits and savings for your specific situation. Call Devoted to connect with an experienced telesales agent or reach out to the agent who helped you enroll with Devoted.

What if I have questions or need help?

Text us at 866-85 or give us a call at 1-800-338-6833 (TTY 711). We can connect you with an experienced Community Guide. They can help you understand letters you get from the state, answer questions about Medicaid and other assistance programs, and help you apply when it’s time to renew your benefits.

You can also contact your state Medicaid office or visit Medicaid.gov to learn more about Medicaid renewal.