Transitioning from Medicaid to Marketplace Coverage in 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2023
Mountain Projects
2177 Asheville Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
Press Contacts: Executive Director, Patsy Davis, [email protected], 828-452-1447
Program Manager, Jan Plummer, [email protected], 828-499-3222
Transitioning from Medicaid to Marketplace Coverage in 2023
The process of termination (unwinding) of Medicaid coverage for those enrolled in the program because of the Covid Public Health Emergency begins on April 1, 2023.
The Department of Health and Human Services began evaluating eligibility of enrolled recipients on February 1, reviewing household monthly income, age, employment status, and changes in family size. As a result, many people will discover they are no longer eligible for full Medicaid coverage. Consumers are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, or Healthcare.gov, where insurance plans are available. Most people can qualify for a plan that costs less than $10 a month.
If you need help, Mountain Projects has expert insurance counselors on staff to help create an account, navigate the application, and determine eligibility for tax credits, all at no charge. This program is called GetCoveredWNC. Appointments can be made by calling (828) 452-1447.
The “unwinding” of Medicaid will not happen all at once. NCDHHS has 14 months to complete the recertification process. There are an estimated 300,000 North Carolinians who could lose their Medicaid between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024. DSS workers will be referring consumers to organizations like Mountain Projects to check their eligibility for Marketplace plans on healthcare.gov.
Persons losing Medicaid will begin receiving notices as early as February and should contact Mountain Projects’ GetCoveredWNC counselors to create an account on Healthcare.gov in advance of April 1st, 2023 to avoid a lapse in coverage when their Medicaid ends.
A person who loses Medicaid may be eligible for $0 monthly premiums on the Health Insurance Marketplace. (MP) The MP cannot turn someone away because of preexisting conditions; and plans cover the majority of services that Medicaid covers.
The Mountain Projects team of Certified Application Counselors is available to screen and enroll consumers in all seven counties of Western NC and the Qualla Boundary throughout the unwinding phase.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
People who lose Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage any time between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024 will be eligible for a Marketplace SEP. After a person is deemed eligible for the Marketplace subsidies, they will have 60 days to choose a plan, and their coverage will start the first day of the month after they choose a plan.
This opportunity allows people who lose Medicaid or CHIP to get enrolled anytime between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024, no matter when their Medicaid ended.
The SEP is triggered when someone answers “yes” to the application questions asking if their Medicaid/CHIP coverage ended recently or will end soon. People will not be required to supply documentation to verify their loss of Medicaid/CHIP.
Contact Certified Application Counselors by County:
In Haywood County: Jane Harrison, Vicky Gribble and Jan Plummer, Coordinator: 828 452-1447 at Mountain Projects, Inc. 2177 Asheville Road Waynesville, NC 28786
In Jackson County: Marilyn Tollie (bilingual assistance in all counties) 828 550-3686; and Susan Rose: 828 476-9194 located at 154-B Medical Park Loop, Sylva, NC 28779
In Swain and Graham Counties: Linda Fitzsimmons: 828 550-7908
In Macon County: Cynthia Solesbee: 828-400-4177
In Clay and Cherokee Counties: Linda Curtis-Palmieri: 828 400-3149
Appointments are available in-person, by phone, or by video call.
GetCovered WNC, a program of Mountain Projects is supported by the Haywood Healthcare Foundation for Haywood County, The Dogwood Health Trust and The Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust.
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