Medicaid Renewal Guide: How to Renew Medicaid in Missouri
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
To make sure your coverage is uninterrupted for health care and home care, you need to renew your Medicaid when the state requires you to. The process of renewing can seem like a lot, but if you are prepared, it can be seamless.
If you are receiving care in Missouri's Consumer Directed Services Program, staying enrolled in MO HealthNet is very important. Medicaid requires participants to renew their coverage every year. So, don't miss deadlines and read below to know everything you need to know about deadlines, recent changes, how to renew, and what to do if you miss a deadline.
When Is My Medicaid Renewal Deadline?
Everyone has a different deadline. The state has a redetermination process annually which means 12 months after you were enrolled in Medicaid, Missouri renews Medicaid based on the information they already have. If they are not able to determine, they will send you a renewal packet to the address on their system.
You will receive a notice from Missouri DSS approximately 90 days before your renewal deadline. The notice will include your deadline, documents you need, and the ways you can complete the renewal process. Please open and read carefully through any mail or letter that you receive from the state or DSS as soon as possible. It is important to keep your mailing address and contact information up to date on the DSS app account.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the state automatically extended coverage without checking eligibility. However, that ended in April 2023 when federal law required states to return to yearly renewals.
When the state auto-renews your Medicaid based on the information they already have, and you will receive a notice in your mail if that happens telling you if there is anything else you need to do. If you haven’t received a renewal notice and think one is overdue or want to know your renewal date, you can call DSS on 855-373-999.
Documents You Might for Medicaid Renewal
You do not have to send every document you used during the application. The notice letter, notification, or email you receive will tell you exactly what they need to verify. If you know things have changed and a renewal is coming soon, you can be prepared with these documents:
1 - Proof of Income
A very common document that could be asked. If they have specific documents, they need for the proof it will be mentioned in the packet, but some acceptable forms are:
most recent pay stubs
a signed letter from your employer
Social Security statements
an unemployment insurance award letter
2 - Proof of Identity
If things have changed for you or your family since you applied or last renewed, these could be some documents you should have handy:
driver's license
birth certificates
marriage records
or other documents showing who lives in your household
3 - Proof of Residency
You have to confirm that you still live in Missouri. If address or county has changed these could be some documents to be prepared with:
utility bill
bank statement
government letter
lease agreement with your name and home address
documentation showing dependent children, marital status, or guardianship.
How to Renew Medicaid in Missouri?
There are different ways to renew your Medicaid insurance, and you can choose a method you prefer. For an easy renewal, make sure you have up to date information on your account. Read the notice sent carefully to know what documents you need. If there are any changes in your income, household like marriage or newborn, or address, you should update them as soon as they happen.
During the renewal, the state will evaluate your eligibility based on the available data and they could need more information to confirm that you are still eligible.
1 - Online
The fastest and convenient way is through the official online portal.
When the renewal is due, you will get access to an application.
Follow the instructions and ensure your information is up to date and correct.
Complete and submit your form online.
2 - By Mail
You can fill the Form IM-7R you received in mail, include copies of the documentation asked for, and send the envelope to the address mentioned in the envelope. If you are not sure about the address, call 855-373-4636 to find the right address to mail your renewal packet to.
3 - By Phone
Call DSS FSD at 855-373-9994 for renewal questions or 855-373-4636 for general MO HealthNet questions or talk to a representative.
4 - In Person
You can visit your local Family Support Division office to submit your application and documents or to get help with completing your form.
Steps After You Submit
When the state receives your application and documents, the status is updated on the Missouri DSS account. The processing time can vary between 30-45 days, but it could vary based on your profile. If DSS requests additional information or documents, respond promptly to maintain uninterrupted coverage.
If it is approved, you will receive a notice with the details, and your existing Medicaid card and care plan should carry over.
If it is denied, you will receive notice with the details and reasons for the rejections. If you think it is wrong, you have 90 days to request a fair hearing. Contact MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) within the 90-day window.
What If I Miss the Deadline?
There could be different reasons you might have missed the deadline but do not worry. Make sure you have your documents and forms ready anyways. If your Medicaid is terminated, according to the federal rules, you have 90 days after the date of termination to submit the missing information to Missouri DSS for a re-evaluation. The state should treat the submission to reconsider your eligibility, and you do not have to start a new application.
If more than 90 days have passed since your termination date, you’ll likely need to submit a completely new application.
BURD Is Here to Support
We can help you by providing relevant resources, contacts, or support for the renewal process. Our Relationship Managers can answer questions regarding the renewal process and if it affects anything about your home care program. We’re here to ensure you keep getting paid through Agency with Choice program.
If you receive any Medicaid letter about your home care services being interrupted, notify us by calling 573-488-2040. If there are changes to your Medicaid benefits, we can guide you on its effects on your care plan and your next steps.
