In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, protections were put in place by the federal government to ensure Americans maintained health coverage. As the situation with COVID-19 has improved, those protections are now set to expire on April 1, 2023.

Each state will approach this differently, but for those in Idaho with protected Medicaid coverage, here’s what you need to know.

• The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has already started the process of re-evaluating and notifying Idahoans it believes are no longer eligible for protected Medicaid. This process is expected to continue monthly through the fall of 2023.
• Idahoans will have 60 days from their last day of protected Medicaid coverage to contact DHW and complete the re-evaluation process or find other health insurance coverage.
• Idahoans who are no longer eligible for Medicaid but may be eligible for a tax credit will be referred to Your Health Idaho, the state health insurance marketplace, to shop for a new health insurance plan.

More information can be found at HealthandWelfare.idaho.gov/MedicaidProtection and YourHealthIdaho.org/End-of-Protected-Medicaid.

If you receive a letter from DHW that states you may be losing protected Medicaid coverage, you must take action to complete your eligibility re-evaluation. You can complete the re-evaluation process at idalink.idaho.gov or over the phone with DHW at 877-456-1233. Remember, you have 60 days to complete this process and, if eligible, enroll in a new health insurance plan.

If you currently have Medicaid coverage and do not receive a letter from DHW over the coming months, your Medicaid coverage is expected to continue.

St. Luke’s Health Plan is an affordable alternative to Medicaid. If you are at risk of losing protected Medicaid coverage, start exploring plans now.

If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid and are referred to Your Health Idaho, you may qualify for a tax credit to purchase health insurance coverage at a lower cost. You can shop for plans, including those from St. Luke’s Health Plan, at YourHealthIdaho.org.

St. Luke’s Health Plan has a unique understanding of the health care needs of our members, and our plans were built by the doctors who care for them. That’s why we offer $0 copays for primary and preventive care, behavioral health care, maternity care, on-demand virtual care and more.

On top of a great benefit package, St. Luke’s Health Plan members have access to high-quality care through our network of 4,500-plus doctors and specialists in hundreds of locations across the coverage area.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about St. Luke’s Health Plan, our team is here to help. Email [email protected] or call us at 1-833-478-5853.