ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – The New York State Department of Health announced to New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan Thursday, March 23 that beginning this spring, they will have to start renewing their coverage again.

Rules from the federal government’s Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed in December 2022, ended the continuous coverage of people on Medicaid and other public health insurance programs. The continuous coverage had been in effect since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency in early 2020.

Over seven million New Yorkers get their insurance in some form from New York State of Health, the state’s health plan marketplace.  That includes over five million Medicaid recipients and over one million on the Essential Plan as of January 31.

In an effort to keep New Yorkers from losing their coverage, the Department of Health has introduced several resources to remind residents of renewal dates, including an option to receive text notifications about renewals and an informational webpage. The state has also requested permission from the federal government to administratively redetermine individuals and those over the age of 65.

Renewal notices will be sent out on a rolling basis, and coverage end dates will range from June 30, 2023 to May 31, 2024. All enrollees are encouraged to renew by the 15^th of the month.

For more information on the renewal process, you are asked to call the New York State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777 or your county’s Department of Social Services.