What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a program that provides health coverage. It is funded by federal and state governments and is available to low-income adults (including pregnant women), children, and people with disabilities.

Does Priority Health offer Medicaid?

Priority Health Choice Inc. is approved by the State of Michigan to offer Medicaid, Healthy Michigan Plan, MIChild and Children's Special Health Care Services in many Michigan counties. Priority Health Choice is an accredited Medicaid Health Plan by NCQA. People 65 and older with Medicaid may also be eligible for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP. Learn more about PriorityMedicare D-SNP.

How do I get Medicaid?

Learn the easy steps to check your eligibility for Michigan Medicaid.

Medicaid redetermination: What is it?

Medicaid redetermination is the process by which Medicaid members must reapply for their Medicaid benefits and prove their income qualifies for Medicaid.

Do I have to reapply for Medicaid every year?

Most people need to reapply for Michigan Medicaid every year. However, automatic or passive renewals are completed when the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) has enough current member information available in their system. When this happens, MDHHS does not need to contact the beneficiary to request any additional proof to renew their Medicaid benefits. In that instance, the member will receive a Health Care Coverage notice indicating that their Medicaid coverage will continue.

There may also be few select times when members do not have to renew Medicaid benefits annually, like when a Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) in place.

The COVID Public Health Emergency & Medicaid

In Spring 2020 the federal government issued a COVID Public Health Emergency (PHE). Medicaid members have not had to reapply for Medicaid since this PHE was issued. This means that someone who may have lost their job in the COVID pandemic could have qualified for Medicaid in 2020 and have not had to prove their income requirements since their enrollment in 2020.

What happens in Spring 2023?

Starting April 1, 2023 MDHHS will begin a monthly eligibility process for individuals enrolled in fee-for-service Medicaid and Medicaid Health Plans. The renewal period can take up to 3 months.

Every Medicaid member has a renewal month, which is the month the individual's Medicaid will be reviewed to find if they are still eligible for Medicaid coverage.

The first renewal packets are scheduled to begin mailing (or sent electronically) in May 2023 for those with renewal dates in June 2023.

How to reapply for Medicaid

Priority Health is here to help you keep health coverage. If you have Medicaid, MIChild, or Healthy Michigan Plan you may need to go through the renewal process. This is to find if you are still eligible for free or low-cost Medicaid coverage.

To prepare to reapply for Medicaid coverage:

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    Update your address phone number, and email address.

    • The best way to update contact information is online at Michigan.gov/MIBridges
    • You can also contact your local MDHHS office to make changes
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    Report any changes to your household or income

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    Check your mail

    • To keep your Medicaid coverage, you may need to complete a yearly renewal form. If you do, MHDDS will send one to you by mail, text or in MIBridges. To avoid gaps in Medicaid coverage, please complete and return the form right away.
    • If you want to get electronic updates about your letters:
      1. Go to Michigan.gov/MIBridges
      2. Log in to your account
      3. In your MI Bridges account settings, choose to get electronic updates.
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    Read and return your renewal packet

    • If you get a renewal packet, be sure to fill it out, sign the forms, and return them by the due date with any needed proof, such as proof of income, assets, and expenses.
    • You have about 60 days to respond once you get the renewal packet.

How do I know if my Medicaid benefits are renewed?

MDHHS will review your case and send you a letter. It will tell you one of the following:

  • You are eligible to keep your Medicaid
  • You are no longer eligible for Medicaid
  • We need more information to find if you are eligible for Medicaid

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Health coverage expires at various times for different members. Login to MIBridges to see your renewal date.

Various factors impact your Medicaid eligibility, including income, age, disability, citizenship/immigration status, and more. Learn more about Michigan Medicaid programs and requirements in our Medicaid Learning Center or the MDHHS website.

Plan features include maternity and infant care, transportation services, care management to help you live with chronic conditions, prescription coverage, and vision and dental care.

Visit MIBridges or your local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office. They'll help you make sure you're eligible.

After you enroll in Michigan Medicaid, you'll need to call Michigan ENROLLS at 888.367.6557 (TTY users call 711) to become a Priority Health Choice member. If you choose not to do this, the state will select a carrier for you.

If your deadline to reapply for Medicaid passes you lose health coverage. Call the Beneficiary Help Line toll free at 1.800.642.3195 (TTY: 1.866.501.5656), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

We want all Michiganders to get covered and stay covered. If after a full renewal, you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, MIChild, or Healthy Michigan Plan you will receive:

  • Notice when your enrollment ends
  • Information on how to appeal
  • Information about options for purchasing other health care coverage.

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