In some states, Medicaid has been expanded to cover all adults below a certain income level. If your state has expanded Medicaid, you may now qualify for Medicaid coverage.
What it means if my state recently expanded Medicaid
If your state recently expanded Medicaid, you may get a notice telling you that you or someone else on your application may now be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (Note: These program names may vary by state. See what they’re called in your state.)
This notice means you may be able to sign up for Medicaid or CHIP, even if you weren’t eligible when you first applied. You’ll need to update your application and resubmit it to be determined eligible.
How to resubmit my application to get Medicaid or CHIP coverage
If you already applied for Marketplace health insurance but got a notice saying you can resubmit your existing application, follow these steps:
1. Create a Marketplace account if you don't already have one. But, if you already applied online through Healthcare.gov, go directly to Step 2.
- If you first applied through the Marketplace Call Center or with a paper application, an online version of your application was created for you.
- To view and update your online application, you'll need to create a Marketplace account. To do this, go to Healthcare.gov, and select "Log In" at the top right of your screen, and then select "Create one."
- Important: When you create a Marketplace account, your primary account holder should be the same name as the contact person on your submitted application. This way the Marketplace can help you find your application.
2. Log into your Marketplace account and go to your submitted application.
- Log into your Marketplace account.
- Select your already submitted application under "Your applications."
3. Report a life change to update your already submitted application.
- Select the "Report a Life Change" button from the left-hand menu.
- Read through the list of changes, and select the green "Report a Life Change" button at the bottom to get started.
- You'll select that you're reporting a change to your household's state or Medicaid CHIP coverage.
- Continue through your application. You'll be asked about your eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP. Were any of the people on your application found not eligible to get Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) since October 1, 2013? Make sure to select "None of these people" for this application question.
4. Resubmit your application after making your updates.
- When you finish updating, submit your application to review your new eligibility results.
- If anyone on the application is eligible for Medicaid or CHIP:
- Your state will contact you about starting your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
- Follow steps for enrolling each person in your state's program.
- If anyone on the application is eligible to enroll in a plan through the Marketplace:
- Select the green “Continue to Enrollment” and complete the steps listed.
- If you don’t see the green “Continue to Enrollment” button, and you’re currently enrolled in a plan through the Marketplace, you must either terminate your Marketplace plans, or end the tax credits associated with them.
To terminate your plans you can:
- Select “My Plans and Programs,” then select “End All Coverage,” OR
- Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
To keep your Marketplace plans without help paying for them, you can:
- Select “Report a Life Change,” and proceed through your application until you reach the question that asks, “Do you want help paying for coverage?” Select “No.”
- Complete and submit your application. Your state will still contact you about enrolling in their Medicaid or CHIP program as secondary coverage.
- You can also call the Marketplace Call Center.