Medicaid plays an important role in keeping Nebraskans healthy – and we know that our communities are stronger when all Nebraskans have access to quality, affordable health care. Over 300,000 Nebraskans have been relying on Medicaid coverage for their health needs during the pandemic, and upcoming changes could cause tens of thousands of Nebraskans to lose Medicaid coverage.
In March 2020, Congress passed a law responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that generally requires states to keep most people enrolled in Medicaid regardless of changes, such as a change in income, during the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). At this time, it is not clear when the PHE will end, but states, enrollees, and advocates should prepare now.
Around the time the PHE ends, Nebraska Medicaid will start evaluating whether Medicaid enrollees are eligible to continue to receive Medicaid benefits. During this process, Nebraska Medicaid will be sending notices to current Medicaid enrollees and may be requesting information.
Because this process will impact so many Nebraskans, our state should develop and widely share detailed plans for the end of the PHE so enrollees and community members know what to expect in this process. Learn more about what the state should do to prepare for the end of the PHE here.
What can Medicaid enrollees do to prepare?
- Update your contact information with Medicaid today.
- Medicaid enrollees should update their address with Nebraska Medicaid as soon as possible and keep their contact information up to date to make sure they receive important communications.
- Update your mailing address and other contact information by submitting a change report through your online account at ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov or by calling (855) 632-7633.
- Check your mail to watch for important updates, notices, and forms from Medicaid.
Help spread the word to make sure other Nebraskans know about these upcoming changes.
To learn more about these changes and to find out ways to get involved, reach out to our Health Care Access Program Staff Attorney, Kelsey Arends, at karends@neappleseed.org.