Residents enrolled in the state’s Medical Assistance/MA program are urged to keep their eyes on their mailbox as the renewal process for this program restarts later this spring.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government halted annual healthcare renewals, ensuring enrollees continued access to medical care.
That suspension has ended and annual renewals will restart with those due for renewal in July. Enrollees can determine their renewal date based on the anniversary of their application.
For example, someone who applied for Medical Assistance in July has a July Medical Assistance renewal date. This means this enrollee needs to complete and submit the renewal paperwork and it must be processed by the county before July 1.
Participants will receive a pre-renewal notice about three months before the anniversary of their enrollment. That will be followed by a renewal packet coming about six weeks before their renewal month.
Enrollees should follow the instructions on the forms completely and return their renewal and all required documents listed on the form by the due date stated.
All paperwork is processed in the order in which it is received.
Paperwork can be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 507-332-6247, or hand delivered or mailed to Rice County Social Services, Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault.
While annual renewals aren’t new, many now covered may be unfamiliar with the process. Minnesota has seen a 30% increase in enrollment in MA since early 2019; Rice County has experienced a 42% increase.
That increase is expected to bring a significantly heavier workload for county eligibility workers who will continue to do their utmost to process paperwork in a timely manner.
The most important thing enrollees can do now is to ensure their contact information is up to date so paperwork is sent to their correct address. Those changes can be made by visiting mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage.
While there, enrollees can also find their renewal date and how they can best prepare for the renewal process so they’re ready when their renewal forms arrive.
Rice County MA recipients with questions about their renewal date can also call Social Services at 507-332-5995.
Contact:
Valerie Elzen, Rice County Financial Assistance Supervisor
[email protected]
507-332-6115
Mike Johnston, Rice County Financial Assistance Supervisor
[email protected]
507-332-6115
Suzy Rook, Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
507-384-6509