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

News From Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

Apr 30, 2021 | ANC, News & Updates, Ward 5

 

More and more residents are getting vaccinated, and starting May 1st, there will be walk-in vaccine clinics across the District. Now, business operators, workers, and faith leaders need a reopening roadmap that gives them clarity about the future and brings us up to speed with the rest of the country.

The District continues to enforce some of the strictest reopening guidelines nationwide; well beyond what our regional partners are currently pursuing in dining, worship, and hotel capacity. As other states and localities release their reopening plans, our stakeholders remain in the dark, which puts our businesses at a competitive disadvantage. I know folks are frustrated and worried about reopening, and I will continue to ask questions about what this process looks like.

In service,

Kenyan

 

 

In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:

Kenyan in The News

Check out some of the articles Councilmember McDuffie was mentioned in recenty:

D.C. Council advances block-by-block plan for future city development (Washington Post)

Council Advances Amendments on Comp Plan (City Paper)

Efforts to redevelop Ivy City’s Crummell School are stuck in limbo. The next few months could change everything (Washington Business Journal)

Woodrow Wilson High School Name Change Proposal Under Fire (Washington Informer)

Residents say Postal Service delays are leaving mailboxes empty in Northeast D.C. (Washington Post)

D.C. Bars And Music Venues Consider Requiring Vaccination So They Can Reopen (City Paper)

DC Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage’s Managed Care Soap Opera (Janetta Rose Barras)

New Rent and Utilities Relief Program – STAY DC

STAY DC, a new relief program made possible by new federal funding provides support for back rent to pay unpaid rent going back to 4/1/20, upcoming rent for up to 3 months, utility expenses for water, gas, & electricity, and extended housing support available for 18 months per tenant

Call 833-478-2932 to apply

 

 

Kenyan in the Community

This weekend, Councilmember McDuffie went on a safety walkthrough in Riggs Park with 5A01 Commissioner Damion McDuffie representatives from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Office of Community Relations and Services, and MPD. 
Team McDuffie celebrated Earth Day with Green Scheme, Broccoli City, Fun It Up, Good Food Markets, Don’t Mute My Health, and His & Hers. We did some cleaning along South Dakota Avenue and then some gardening maintenance in the Langdon Community Garden.

Parking Enforcement & Ticket Amnesty Updates

 

Starting June 1st, District government will resume normal parking enforcement, vehicle towing, vehicle registrations, and inspection requirements. Additional enforcement measures till start on July 1st

 

Starting June 1st, the annual fee for an RPP sticker will increase from $35 to $50 for the 1st vehicle registered in a household. An exemption exists for one resident age 65+ per household. Additional fees will apply to other vehicles in a household. More information here.

 

The Mayor also announced a new ticket amnesty program. From June 1 until September 1, drivers will be able to pay outstanding tickets wihtout paying any penalties w/ new ticket amnesty program

Small Business Spotlight

Montello Barber Shop is back open for business! Earlier this month, Councilmember McDuffie hand-delivered their Great Streets Grant award letter. Make sure to support our Ward 5 businesses and get ready for those summer haircuts.
The Rhode Island and Bladensburg Main Streets have opened their 3rd round of small business assistance grants. The deadline to apply is May 10th, you can apply here
The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program has been extended until May 31st. Apply for a first or second PPP loan here.

 

The Small Business Administration has announced a $28.6 billion dollar Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which will provide assistance to eligible restaurants, bars, & businesses impacted by Covid. The funding will be equal to pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10M per biz ($5M per location) Apply at http://sba.gov/restaurants

The Small Business Administration will also re-open the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application process soon. This $16B program will enable applicants affected by Covid to receive grants equalling up to 45% of gross earned revenue, up to $10M. learn more at http://sba.gov

 

DC Statehood Bill Passes House, Moves to Senate

On April 22nd, the House of Representatives voted 216 to 208 to pass HR 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. Now, the bill moves onto the Senate. President Biden recently announced his formal support for statehood. 

 

New Reopening Guidelines

Starting May 1st, a number of covid guidelines are being changed. Indoor capacity for non-essential retail raised from 25% to 50% or 250 people, the seat per table limit at bars and restaurants raised from 6 to 10, and live music will be allowed outdoors.

Additionally, multi-purpose facilities, concert venues, cinemas, and theaters can open at 25% capacity (max 500 people), weddings and special events can operate at 25% capacity up to 250 people (indoors and outdoors), gyms can operate at 50% capacity up to 250 people, and pools can open. Finally, places of worship can admit up to 40% capacity for services. Virtual and outdoor services still encouraged, mandatory masking and social distancing remain in place.

COVID-19 and Vaccine Updates

On Saturday, May 1, DC will transition from an appointment-only system to 11 walk-in vaccination sites (no appointment needed). May 1st hours will vary because of the Mayor’s day of action (full schedule below). There are three walk-up sites in Ward 5 – Langdon Park Community Center, Providence Health System, and Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.

If you know someone who wants the vaccine but is homebound, they can set up an appointment to have the vaccine come to them by calling 1-855-363-0333. Residents 16 or 17 years must continue to schedule their vaccine appointments with Children’s National.

If you’re looking to find any other additional vaccine opportunities, check out vaccinefinder.org.