Federal Public Health Emergency Renewal Extends Continuous Medicaid Coverage

As previously reported, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires states to provide continuous coverage for all Medicaid beneficiaries until the end of the month in which the federal public health emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 ends.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the public health emergency declaration, which was set to expire on July 25, is being renewed for an additional 90 days.  This means that most people on Medicaid must continue to receive Medicaid through October 31, 2020 even if they are no longer eligible.  The ONLY exceptions are cases where the person: 

• Voluntarily ends their coverage, 

• Is no longer a Pennsylvania resident, 

• Is deceased, 

• Received Medicaid because they were found presumptively eligible for the program by a hospital or pregnancy provider, but have ultimately been determined ineligible for Medicaid, 

• Is a “lawfully present” immigrant who received Medicaid because they were under 21 and who is not eligible for any other Medicaid category when they turn 21, or 
• Is a “lawfully present” immigrant who received Medicaid because they were pregnant and is not eligible for any other Medicaid category when their 60-day postpartum period ends 

If you have any questions, please call our Helpline at 1-800-274-3258.