Temporary “PE” Medicaid ending June 30 for some Kentuckians

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) expanded access to temporary healthcare coverage for uninsured Kentuckians through Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility, or “PE” Medicaid.

Starting June 30th, 2021, this temporary PE Medicaid coverage will be ending for thousands of Kentuckians.

Kentuckians who have been enrolled in PE coverage since January will be disenrolled on June 30. Note those who enrolled after January may have a different end of coverage date.

For those who do not know when your coverage ends, contact a kynector. If the PE Medicaid coverage does not end on June 30, it is still critical to maintain healthcare coverage, especially now while there is a Special Enrollment Period through August 15 for anyone who may not be eligible for regular Medicaid.

The end of PE coverage is considered a “qualifying event”. This means that when PE coverage ends, individuals who are not eligible for regular Medicaid or Employer Sponsored Insurance can shop for a Marketplace plan. The current federal Special Enrollment Period (SEP) extends through August 15th, 2021.

Marketplace savings are bigger this year! Most Kentuckians will be eligible for premium subsidies and may also qualify for help with out-of-pocket costs, like copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Four out of five Kentuckians can find a plan for $10 or less per month after premium tax credits, and plans will be free for many.

Kentuckians who will be losing their PE coverage at the end of this month, should contact a kynector to learn more about regular Medicaid and Marketplace options.

When completing the full Medicaid application, Kentuckians will have the option to choose from the current MCOs: Aetna, Anthem, Humana, Molina/Passport, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare.

As a reminder, Medicaid income eligibility for most Kentucky adults is capped at 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or below — that’s approximately $17,609 for an individuals or $36,156 for a family of four.

Children living in households with incomes at or below 218% FPL are eligible for Medicaid or KCHIP. Pregnant women are eligible for Medicaid if their household income is at or below 200% FPL. To complete a full Medicaid application, Kentuckians can apply online at kynect.ky.gov, call 1.855.306.8959, or contact a local kynector for application assistance.