With Medi-Cal eligibility reviews restarting, many individuals will lose their Medi-Cal coverage as early as April 1, 2023. The good news is that there are options, and some individuals may be able to stay covered by enrolling in their employer’s plan. Here’s one example of how this may happen and how you can help.
In 2020, Rhonda* became unemployed and enrolled in Medi-Cal coverage. During the summer of 2021, she started a new job. During the two open enrollment periods since, Rhonda waived her employer-sponsored coverage and maintained her Medi-Cal benefits. Now that Medi-Cal eligibility reviews are resuming, Rhonda realizes she will no longer qualify for Medi-Cal because her income has changed.
She asks her company’s Human Resources department for information about the group health plan they offer employees. Because losing her Medi-Cal coverage is a qualifying life event, Rhonda is now eligible to sign up outside of the open enrollment period. She discusses options with Human Resources, including their employer-sponsored Anthem health plan.
As a broker, you play an important role in this scenario now, before Rhonda loses her Medi-Cal coverage. You can help your employer clients understand that some of their employees may be among the millions of current Medi-Cal enrollees who may lose their coverage during Medi-Cal renewal. And some employees, like Rhonda, may be eligible to sign up for their group health plan.
We’ve created a Medi-Cal Renewal Broker Resource Toolkit to help make it easy for employers to prepare. From an Employer Toolkit to employee coverage options and resource flyers, the site offers information to help you provide the expert guidance your clients need.
* Rhonda’s story represents a potential member journey and is hypothetical in nature.