President Joe Biden signed an order that will end the Public Health Emergency Proclamation with covid on May 11th. 

This will also impact individuals who are on Medicaid. Greene County Medical Center Patient Financial Services Supervisor Maddeline Smith tells Raccoon Valley Radio starting May 11th, Medicaid will once again ask for individuals to renew their coverage on an annual basis because of the pandemic, Medicaid ensured coverage and waived the annual renewals. Smith points out the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is in the process of sending out renewal packets.

“If you have not received your renewal packet by May 11th, there’s no reason to panic. There will not be a lapse in coverage. It’s a 12 month period where these renewals are happening and it’s based on a scheduled renewal date. So some people have received their renewal packet and some have not.” 

Smith encourages anyone who received Medicaid benefits during the pandemic to contact HHS and find out if they qualify for coverage. She explains another route for anyone to consider is using the medical center’s financial assistance.

“If you qualify it can help cover costs that your insurance doesn’t pay (such as), co-pays, deductibles, things like that. It’s an application and we’ll take a look at your income, we’ll take a look at your household size. And if you’re approved, it can provide discounts on services all the way from 20 percent up to 100 percent discount on services.”    

Interested individuals can contact Smith at the medical center at 515-386-0278 to learn more.