New Deadline for Texans to Renew Medicaid Insurance After Congress Passes Funding Bill

For Immediate Release
Contact: Peter Clark, [email protected]

Health Care Advocates Warn that the State’s Plan Could Leave Eligible Kids Uninsured

Austin - The funding bill passed by Congress during the holidays creates a looming deadline for Texans enrolled in Medicaid health insurance to take action to keep their health coverage. Since the official Public Health Emergency (PHE) began in 2020, Texans enrolled in Medicaid have been able to keep their insurance coverage without renewing it. The new bill that passed Congress at the end of December terminates that “continuous coverage” rule on April 1, 2023 — one year after Texas health care experts urged state leaders to prepare to manage the coming spike in renewals and expressed concern about the state’s plan.

“We want to make sure that Texas kids who are still eligible for insurance through Medicaid are able to keep their health coverage, keep seeing their doctor, and keep getting their medications,” said Diana Forester, Director of Health Policy at Texans Care for Children.

To avoid losing health coverage after April 1, 2023, Texans who have Medicaid insurance and may still be eligible should update their mailing address with the state by visiting YourTexasBenefits.com, visiting an HHSC benefit office, or calling 2-1-1. They must also respond to the renewal notice they receive from the state.

“After nearly three years, families are rusty at completing the renewal process, and many families have moved to a new home,” said Stacey Pogue, Senior Policy Analyst at Every Texan. “We need all hands on deck to make sure Texans know how to update their addresses with the state and renew their health coverage.”

Texans who will no longer be eligible for Medicaid insurance should know that other health insurance options may be available, including CHIP for children in families who saw modest increases in their income and no-cost insurance on HealthCare.Gov for some adults. Congress has reduced the price of insurance on HealthCare.Gov, with four out of five shoppers now qualifying for health insurance for less than $10 per month.

Community organizations are standing by to provide Texans with no-cost assistance renewing their health coverage or exploring new options. Texans can visit the state’s Community Partner program website to find a local group.

Health care advocates also warned that state leaders’ rushed approach to the PHE ending could result in mistakes leading to thousands of children losing their health insurance even though they are still eligible.

“For the past year, we have been calling on the Governor and state leaders to fix the delays in the state’s eligibility system and to take a more orderly approach to renewing kids’ health coverage after the health emergency, like other states are doing,” said Patrick Bresette, Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund - Texas. “Unfortunately, state leaders decided on a plan that will cram 2.7 million renewals into six months, likely leaving thousands of eligible kids uninsured in the chaos.” 

The budget bill that passed Congress in December also allows children enrolled in Medicaid insurance to maintain their coverage for a full year, achieving a longtime goal of health care advocates.

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