After suspending the process of reviewing eligibility since the Covid-19 pandemic, Medi-Cal now has 14 months to review the eligibility of 15 million Medi-Cal enrollees. It is estimated that two to three million Californians may lose Medi-Cal coverage during the “unwinding period.” 

Current Medi-Cal enrollees should be on the lookout for notifications about their coverage. Yellow envelopes mean responding to keep their coverage. In a recent press briefing hosted by the Ethnic Media Services, public health experts share a breakdown of the steps involved in the redetermination process.

Speakers 

(L-r) Yingjia Huang, Assistant Deputy Director, Department of Health Care Services; Mayra Alvarez, Executive Director, Children’s Partnership; David Roman, South Central Family Health Center Director of Development & Communications
  • Yingjia Huang, Assistant Deputy Director, Department of Health Care Services
  • Mayra Alvarez, Executive Director, Children’s Partnership
  • David Roman, South Central Family Health Center Director of Development & Communications

Around 15 million California residents currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, California health care program for low-income individuals and families, will receive a yellow envelope in the mail. The envelope contains a letter notifying them about their eligibility status and requirement for renewal.

The review is a yearly process to ensure that individuals still meet the requirements for Medi-Cal. Because of the public health emergency in 2020, reviews were suspended for the last three years. Some coverages might be automatically renewed and may not require any further steps.

The requirements include income limits and residency status. If the state finds that someone no longer qualifies for the program, they may lose their coverage. Someone with a new job with health insurance benefits may lose coverage. Others making enough income may move to a subsidized plan under Covered CA. 

Recipients of the yellow envelope will have ample time to provide any requested documentation to verify their eligibility. If someone fails to provide the required documentation, their coverage may be terminated.

It’s important for individuals who are in need of Medi-Cal to be vigilant for the yellow envelope. According to Mayra Alvarez, “…it may have been a long time since they last renewed their coverage.” Experts say to read the packet in the yellow envelope carefully and provide any requested documentation to avoid losing their coverage. If someone loses their coverage, they may be able to reapply in the future, but it’s important to note that there may be a gap in coverage while their application is being processed.

Overall, the yellow envelope is a routine part of the Medi-Cal program’s eligibility review process, and individuals should be on the lookout to avoid losing coverage from Medi-Cal. As Alvarez rightly sums up, “Now is the time to make sure we’re taking the necessary steps to keep our coverage. Anybody, regardless of their immigration status, regardless of their income, can apply for MediCal.”