Submitted by Unity Care NW
During COVID, nearly everyone who qualified for Apple Health (Medicaid) was able to receive benefits without submitting an annual renewal. Americans who are eligible for Medicaid are losing coverage at an alarming rate. In Washington State, Apple Health will be reaching out to their members to file paperwork to make sure they are still eligible. If you have Apple Health, you must make sure your contact information is up to date and respond to outreach from your insurance provider or risk losing health care coverage.
What Is Apple Health?
It has been 13 years since the passing of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) which expanded health care coverage to millions of Americans by increasing access to Medicaid, requiring insurers to accept all applicants regardless of preexisting conditions, and creating exchanges for the purchase of individual insurance.
The Washington Health Plan Finder, is our online marketplace administered by the Health Care Authority, where individuals, families and small businesses can apply for free coverage and purchase private insurance plans. Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington and is free or low-cost health insurance coverage for people younger than 65 and under a certain income level. Apple Health recipients often don’t know they are covered under Medicaid because their health plan is provided through insurance companies. Entities like United Health, Regence, Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), Molina and more all provide Apple Health plans.
To find out if your health insurance is administered through Apple Health you have a few options. You can call or email a local Enrollment Specialist whose services are offered free of charge to the public at non-profit community health centers like Unity Care NW. You can also check to see if you have an account on the Washington Health Plan Finder website by attempting to log in with what you think might be your account information or by trying to create a new account.
What Does the Unwinding Mean for Apple Health Users and Why Is It Important?
Everyone using Apple Health must renew their coverage once it comes up for renewal over the next year. Renewal dates are different for everyone, and your renewal date will depend on when you enrolled. Your insurance provider will begin reaching out to you at least a month prior to your renewal date but you can also look up your renewal date by calling and Enrollment Specialist at (360) 788-2669 or on the Washington Health Plan Finder website. Apple Health users can only continue their coverage if they complete the renewal process on time and still qualify for Apple Health.
Patients who do not take action before their renewal period ends will lose their Apple Health coverage.
What Do Apple Health Members Need to Do?
Update your contact information with the Health Care Authority. Renewal information and important notices about Apple Health coverage will go to the address on file with the HCA. Make sure your contact information is correct and up to date! Login to the Washington Health Plan Finder website and confirm your contact information or report a change in address. More information on how to report a change can be found on the HCA website.
Watch for renewal information — and take action! Renewal information will arrive in your mailbox the month before your renewal date. For example, patients with a renewal date in July will receive a renewal notice in June and must complete the process before their renewal date. Remember that people who do not complete the renewal process on time will lose their Apple Health Coverage.
Here’s a checklist for Apple Health members to keep from losing their health care coverage:
- Call 360-788-2669 or Login to the Washington Health Plan Finder website where you can:
- Check or update your contact information.
- Find out when your renewal date is.
- Learn about the renewal process online.
- Gather Social Security Number and income details for your household.
- Renew before your deadline.
