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Medicaid Application Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant individuals, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people:

age 65 or older,

under age 65 with certain disabilities, and/or

any age with End-Stage Renal Disease/ESRD (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/ALS.

What is the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)?

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is Medicaid-adminsistered program that can assit people with limited income in paying their Medicare Premiums.

Who can apply for Medicaid/Medicare Savings Program using ACCESS HRA?

Most clients who have disabilities, including blindness; are age 65 or older; or who get or need waiver services can apply on ACCESS HRA.

ACCESS HRA applicants must live in the 5 boroughs of New York City and be:

Age 65 or older, or

Have a certified disability, including blindness (If you have not had your disability certified yet, but you believe you could be qualified, apply with ACCESS HRA. We can help you get your certification. Your disability could be certified by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB)), or

Chronically ill, or

Between the ages of 18-26, a former resident of foster care who had Medicaid, and you were discharged after you turned 18, or

A disabled adult child (DAC), or

A child under age 18 who has a waiver or been told they need long-term care services

All applying case members must fit this description to apply on ACCESS HRA. You can only apply for yourself and your eligible spouse and/or children. A legally-responsible parent or authorized representative can also submit an application for an eligible person.

Note: Anyone who is under age 65 or does not have a certified disability or chronic illness should apply on NY State of Health.

How do I apply for Medicaid/Medicare Savings Program?

You can apply for Medicaid/Medicare Savings Program in any one of the following ways:

Apply online using ACCESS HRA.

Download and print a copy of the paper application(s) using the NY State Department of Health (NYSDOH) website

Call us at 888-692-6116 and request an application kit be mailed to you.

Visit any Medicaid Community Office and request a paper form. Find a location near you.

I have active Medicaid and I need help with my Medicare premiums. Should I apply for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) separately on AHRA?

If you have an active Medicaid case and would like the Medicaid program to evaluate your case for MSP, please fill out the MAP-751W and send it to us in any of the following ways:

Mail
Mail the completed form to:
UPD Correspondence Unit
785 Atlantic Avenue, 5th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Fax
Fax the completed form to the Undercare Processing Division (UPD) at 917-639-0837.

In-Person
Drop off the completed form at any Medicaid Community Office. Find a location near you.

I haven't had to renew Medicaid in a few years. Does that mean I no longer have to renew my insurance each year?

No, you will have to renew your insurance again. Because of federal law and other flexibilities during the pandemic, HRA was able to keep you enrolled in Medicaid without needing you to renew your insurance. However, federal law has changed, and as of Spring 2023 clients need to renew their Medicaid again each year. HRA will notify you via mail when it's time for you to renew each year.

When will I need to renew my Medicaid again?

You will need to renew your Medicaid when your insurance is set to end. This date is different for everyone because it depends on when you applied. For example, if your insurance is set to end in October, you will receive your notice in early September and you will need to act by the end of October. You can see the date your renewal is due on the "Case Details" screen on ACCESS HRA. HRA will notify you when it is time to renew insurance for yourself and/or your family members. It is very important to pay close attention to all of the information HRA sends you so you can avoid losing your insurance.

In the meantime, you should make sure your address, phone number and other contact information is up to date with the Medicaid program so you get important notices about renewing your insurance. To update your information with Medicaid, call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116. You should also update your information online so you can get updates about ACCESS HRA.

How do I renew my Medicaid?

HRA will send you a renewal packet via mail when it is time to renew insurance for yourself and/or your family members. When your renewal is available, you will also see an alert when you log in to your ACCESS HRA account. Click the "Renew" or "Complete Renewal" button on ACCESS HRA to get started.

What ways can I submit my Medicaid application/renewal?

You can submit your Medicaid renewal in several ways:

Option 1: Complete your renewal online using ACCESS HRA.

Option 2: Return your completed renewal packet and proofs using the postage-paid envelope we sent you. If you do not have our envelope, mail the packet and your required documents to:
Mail Renewel Program
HRA/Medical Assistance Program
PO Box 329060
Brooklyn, NY 11232-9823

Option 3: Return your renewal and documents in-person at any Medicaid Community Office. Find a location near you.

How long will it take me to apply/renew my Medicaid online?

Filling out the forms online will take anywhere from 30-90 minutes.

What happens after I submit my Medicaid application/renewal?

Once you submit your Medicaid renewal, you must also submit your required documents. For more information on submitting documents using ACCESS HRA, see How do I return documents through ACCESS HRA? in this FAQ. You can also use the other methods to submit documents we listed above.

Once you have submitted your renewal and documents, we will review your renewal to see if you are still eligible for Medicaid. If we tell you that you are not, we will send you a notice telling you when your Medicaid insurance will end. This notice will explain how to file an appeal if you think the decision about your eligibility was incorrect. We will also give you information about other health insurance programs and how to apply for them through NY State of Health. For more information about the renewal process, you can call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116.

What will happen if I do not renew Medicaid by the deadline?

If you do not renew insurance for yourself and/or your family members by the deadline we give you for your renewal, you might lose your health insurance. It is very important that you pay attention to the information HRA sends you and renew your insurance by the deadline we give you in our notices and on ACCESS HRA. If you think you missed the deadline, call HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116 for help in getting re-enrolled in Medicaid as soon as possible.

Where can I view my Medicaid renewal submission deadline?

Go to ACCESS HRA (nyc.gov/accesshra) and log in or create an account.

On your homepage, find your Medicaid-only case information.

The renewal submission date is listed under the case number in the "Active Cases & Applications in Progress" section.

Where can I see how long I have coverage for?

If you have Medicaid without a surplus, you have coverage for 12 months after you are approved. If you have a surplus, the dates you have coverage for depends on when you meet your surplus.

You can find the date your coverage will end in the following ways:

Call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116.

Log in or create your ACCESS HRA account at nyc.gov/accesshra, then click the "Benefits" tab at the top of the screen and click "View Details" on your Medicaid case. See below for detailed instructions.

Go to ACCESS HRA and log in or create an account.

On your homepage, find your Medicaid-only case information in the "Active Cases & Applications in Progress" section.

Click on "View Details."

On the "Case Details" page, scroll down to the "Case Members" section.

The coverage information is listed under "Coverage Start" and "Coverage End."

How long will it take the Medicaid Program to process my application/renewal?

It is important that you submit your renewal by the due date so Medicaid has time to process your renewal. Medicaid will start reviewing your renewal 30 days before your insurance is set to end. Before your coverage ends, we will let you know the decision on your renewal in writing.

I received my Medicaid renewal in the mail. Do I have to return it by mail?

No. You can complete your renewal online using ACCESS HRA. If you renew online, you do not have to return the forms by mail.

I never got my Medicaid renewal in the mail. Can I print a paper copy of my renewal on ACCESS HRA?

Yes. You can find the link to print your Medicaid renewal on the Benefits page under "For More Information."

Someone helps me with my Medicaid. Can they submit a renewal for me on ACCESS HRA?

You can only submit a Medicaid renewal and see your case using your own account on ACCESS HRA. Someone else would need to get your permission to create an account for you so they could submit your renewal or see your case information.

Can I get a copy of the notice that shows the decision on my renewal on ACCESS HRA?

Yes. To find a copy of your Medicaid decision notice, log in and check the E-Notices page. Notices are available in ACCESS HRA for one year.

Be sure your address, phone number and other contact information is up to date with the Medicaid program so you get the notice with the decision on your renewal. To update your information with Medicaid, call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116. You should also update your information online so you can get updates about ACCESS HRA. For detailed instructions on how to view your E-Notices see below:

Go to ACCESS HRA (nyc.gov/accesshra) and log in or create an account.

Click on E-Notices.

View your agency notice(s).

What if I need more time to submit documents?

If you have been told you need to submit documents and you need more time, you can ask for an extension by calling the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116. In the Medicaid menu, select the option to hear information about your case. The voice instructions will tell you if you can request an extension.