Medicaid Renewal Restart Frequently Asked Questions 

– Danielle Lewis-Wright
   Trustee & Health and Wellness Committee Chair
   (2021-2023)

During the March 2023 LRCA meeting, the LRCA Health Committee presented on the Restart of Medicaid Renewals for District residents. Below are frequently asked questions about the Medicaid renewal restart process.

Q1.  What is the Medicaid renewal process?

A renewal is a review of current eligibility factors (like current income or DC residency) to determine if someone enrolled in Medicaid, also known as a beneficiary, remains eligible for the Medicaid program.  Medicaid renewal for each beneficiary occurs once every twelve (12) months. However, the renewal process was put on hold due to the COVID-Public Health Emergency since March 2020 but renewals will restart in April 1, 2023 and continue on a monthly, rolling basis for the next 14 months based on the date the beneficiary is scheduled to renew coverage.

Q2. Why are Medicaid renewals restarting now?

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020), the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE). During the PHE, Medicaid continued health care coverage for all beneficiaries.  Recent federal legislation changed this, so the District of Columbia is restarting Medicaid renewals effective April 1, 2023, to comply with these updated federal requirements.

Q3.  When will Medicaid renewals restart?

The first renewal packages will be mailed to some beneficiaries on April 1, 2023, for one households whose coverage is due to renew on May 31, 2023 and some households whose coverage is due to renew on June 30, 2023.  Renewals will continue on a monthly, rolling basis for a year thereafter based on the date the beneficiary is scheduled to renew coverage.

Q4. Will everyone on Medicaid have to renew their coverage in April 2023?

No, the Medicaid Renewal process will take 14 months.  When it is time for a beneficiary to renew their coverage, they will receive a notice in the mail.

Q5. What can District residents do to prepare for the restart of Medicaid renewals?

If you have moved in the last three (3) years, do not wait to update your contact information. You can go to District Direct to check if the agency has your current contact information by going to https://districtdirect.dc.gov/.  You may also call the Public Benefits Call Center at 202-727-5355 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. to update your information.

Q6. Will everyone enrolled in Medicaid have to fill out a renewal form?

No, not all beneficiaries will have to fill out a renewal form.   The beneficiary’s eligibility information like current income and residency will be checked using electronic data sources. If the beneficiary remains eligible, then they will receive an approval notice in the mail.  This process is known as a passive renewal and no action is needed from the beneficiary. 

Q7. What is the process if the eligibility system cannot complete a passive renewal?

Beneficiaries will receive a renewal form in the mail to complete and return by the date listed on the renewal cover letter.

Q8. How can Medicaid beneficiaries renew their coverage and submit their renewal form?

It is important to highlight that Medicaid beneficiaries will have several ways to submit their renewal form:

Online: By using the District Direct eligibility system that allows beneficiaries to complete their renewal, report changes, submit verifications, and view notices online or through the mobile app. Beneficiaries may visit https://districtdirect.dc.gov/ or download the mobile app through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

By Mail: Beneficiaries may mail their renewal to:

Department of Human Services | Economic Security Administration

Case Record Management Unit

P.O. Box 91560

Washington, DC 20090

In Person: Beneficiaries may submit their completed and signed renewal form to one of the Department of Human Services

service center:

Location

Address

Anacostia Service Center

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, DC 20020

 

Congress Heights Service Center

4049 South Capitol St. SW, DC 20032

 

 Fort Davis Service Center

 

3851 Alabama Ave. SE, DC 20020

 

  H Street Service Center

 

645 H St. NE, DC 20002

 

 

Taylor St. Location

 

 

1207 Taylor St. NW, DC 20011

 

By Fax: Fax the Renewal to (202) 671-4400

Once you receive your renewal notice, make sure to complete all questions on the form and report all changes in your household. These changes may include if someone becomes pregnant, has a new baby, moves in or out of your home or has an income change—or any other changes that may affect your benefits. Make sure to sign your renewal form before submission. For forms submitted on-line an electronic signature option is available.

Review Presentation

Metro customers can ride more for less!

Sep 21, 2021 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Metro, News & Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 16, 2021

Starting today, Metro customers will save up to 50 percent on selected passes through October 15. For the first time ever, Metro is launching a sales event that will allow riders to purchase discounted passes with unlimited trips on Metrorail and Metrobus whether you travel one day, one week, or one month.

During the sale, customers may purchase the 1-, 3-, and 7-day passes to use anytime. Monthly passes will be valid for use October 1-31.

“This is a great way to come back to work, restaurants, theater, museums, sports events and outdoor activities this fall with a pass that lets you ride at a deep discount,” said Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We have also enhanced cleaning on buses and trains and improved the ventilation, making it safer and now more affordable for customers to give Metro a try.”

The pass sale, coincides with fare and service improvements that began on September 5, providing more buses and trains, lower prices and longer hours on weekends.

“Bringing back riders and attracting new ones will take bold action and doing things we have never done before,” said Metro Board Chairman Paul C. Smedberg. ” This first-ever pass sale and recent fare and service improvements are just the beginning and as a Board we will continue to pursue new ways to rebuild ridership.”

Discounted passes are available to purchase September 16 through October 15 for the following:

 

Normal Price

Sale Price

1-Day Unlimited Pass

$13

$6.50

3-Day Unlimited Pass

$28

$14

7-Day Short Trip Pass

$38

$19

7-Day Unlimited Pass

$58

$29

Monthly Unlimited Pass

Starting from

$44

All unlimited passes allow rider to take as many trips as they want anywhere on Metrorail or Metrobus (excludes Express and Airport Express routes) including peak and off-peak periods.

Passes can be purchased now in the SmarTrip® app and then added to Apple Wallet, GPay, or your plastic SmarTrip Card online, at Fare Vending Machines located in Metrorail stations, and at the Metro Center Sales Office.

Additional information about the Metro Sales Event can be found at wmata.com/sale.

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