- Open enrollment
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Guides to open enrollment
Read our guides to Medicare and Marketplace open enrollment for 2027
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Medicare open enrollment
- Navigating Medicare open enrollment
- Guía inscripción abierta de Medicare
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Marketplace open enrollment
- What to know about Marketplace open enrollment
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- Medicaid
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Your guide to Medicaid
Learn how Medicaid works, from benefits and eligibility to meeting work requirements
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- Clinical trials
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Learn about clinical trials
Understand how clinical trials work, how researchers plan for safety, and how to join a trial
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- Resources
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Resources for patients and providers
Explore our practical resources for navigating clinical trials, understanding Medicaid, and much more
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What are my options if I lose Medicaid coverage?
Read our tips for dealing with losing Medicaid coverage and finding options for your health coverage.
Important
If you get a notice that says your Medicaid coverage may end, you may still be able to keep your coverage. If your coverage does end, you may have other health coverage options.
This page explains how to find out whether you can keep your Medicaid coverage, prepare if your coverage may end, and find other health coverage options.
Can I keep my Medicaid coverage?
Before you look for other coverage, find out whether you can keep Medicaid. Review the notice about your coverage ending carefully to understand your options.
Review your notice
Your Medicaid notice should tell you what is happening with your coverage and what you need to do. Look for:
- Why your coverage is changing or ending
- When the change will happen
- What information or documents you need to provide
- When you need to respond
- Whether you can ask the state to review its decision
Appeals and reapplying for Medicaid
If you think you incorrectly lost your Medicaid coverage, you may be able to file an appeal with your state Medicaid agency. You can also reapply for Medicaid whenever you want. Contact your state agency to learn how to appeal or apply again.
How to contact your state Medicaid office
If you don’t understand the notice
It’s OK if you do not understand every part of the notice. Start by finding out what is changing, why it is changing, and what you need to do.
Contact your state Medicaid office and ask someone to explain it. Have your notice with you when you call or use your state’s online system. You can ask:
- Why is my Medicaid coverage changing or ending?
- Can I keep my Medicaid coverage?
- What do I need to do to keep my Medicaid coverage?
- When do I need to do it?
- Do you need information or documents from me?
- What can I do if I disagree with this decision?
You can also ask for help that makes it easier for you to understand or communicate with Medicaid. You can ask for:
- An interpreter who speaks your preferred language
- Written information in your preferred language
- Help communicating with Medicaid in your preferred language
- Large-print or Braille information
- TTY, relay, or captioning services
- Online information in a format you can use
- Help completing forms
- Another way to communicate that works for you
What should I do now to prepare for losing Medicaid?
If your Medicaid coverage may end, take these steps now while you still have coverage.
Get the care you need now
If your healthcare professional has ordered blood work, imaging, a specialist visit, or other care, ask when you need to complete it. Do not delay care that you need.
Schedule preventive care
If you are due for a check-up, screening, vaccination, or other preventive care, ask your healthcare professional when you should schedule it.
Find out what happens to your coverage
Check your Medicaid notice to find out when your coverage may end and what you need to do before then. If you have questions about the changes or whether they apply to you, contact your state Medicaid office.
Keep your medical records
Save copies of important health information, such as your medication list, test results, treatment records, and upcoming appointments. You may need this information if you change health plans or healthcare professionals.
Make sure you have enough medication
Check how much medication you have left and when you can refill it. Many plans allow 90-day fills, and it’s a good idea to maximize the supply you can get!
Ask your pharmacy or healthcare professional whether you can get a refill before your Medicaid coverage ends.
Finding other coverage
If your Medicaid coverage ends, look for other health coverage as soon as possible. The options you can use depend on your situation.
Coverage through a job or family member
You may be able to get health coverage through your employer or a family member’s employer. Ask the employer or benefits office:
- Can I enroll?
- When do I need to enroll?
- When will my coverage begin?
- How much will I pay?
You may also be able to join a parent’s health plan if you are under 26.
Medicare
Medicare may be an option if you are 65 or older or qualify because of a disability or certain health conditions. If you think Medicare may apply to you, check:
- Whether you qualify
- When you can enroll
- When your coverage could begin
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If you have children who need coverage, check whether they qualify for CHIP. A child may qualify for CHIP even if they do not qualify for Medicaid.
CHIP provides free or low-cost health coverage for eligible children.
Marketplace coverage
A Marketplace plan may be an option if you cannot keep Medicaid. Marketplace plans are private health insurance plans that individuals and families can shop for and enroll in through the Health Insurance Marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Marketplace is designed to make it easier for people who don’t have affordable coverage through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or another source to find health insurance. In most states, people use HealthCare.gov.
Losing Medicaid may give you a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for a Marketplace plan, outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period. Apply as soon as you know your Medicaid coverage is ending. You may be able to apply before your Medicaid coverage ends, which can help you avoid a gap. When you apply, the Marketplace will ask about your household and income. It will tell you whether you qualify for:
- A Marketplace plan
- Help paying your monthly premium
- Additional help with other healthcare costs
Catastrophic coverage
You can buy a Catastrophic health plan if you are under 30, or if you qualify for a hardship or affordability exemption through the Marketplace. These plans offer low monthly premiums, but very high deductibles. Catastrophic plans are designed to protect you from worst-case scenarios like severe illness or major accidents but require you to pay for everyday medical expenses until you reach your high deductible.
VA health care or TRICARE
If you or a family member has a connection to the military, you may also qualify for VA health care or TRICARE.
Not sure what to do?
You do not have to figure out your coverage options on your own. The right place to ask for help depends on your question.
- Questions about your Medicaid notice or whether you can keep Medicaid? Contact your state Medicaid office.
- Questions about coverage through a job? Contact your employer’s human resources or benefits office.
- Questions about Marketplace coverage or financial help? Get free help from a Marketplace enrollment assister.
- Questions about affording medical costs while you are between coverage? A community health center, hospital financial assistance program, or the National Financial Resource Directory may be able to help.
