Community First Health Plans Provides Guide to renew Medicaid/CHIP health care benefits as the PHE comes to an end

SAN ANTONIO - May 10, 2022 - PRLog -- Community First Health Plans, Inc. has begun efforts to communicate with its Members about renewing their Medicaid and CHIP coverage in preparation for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency (PHE). Since March of 2020, Community First Members have benefited from continuous and uninterrupted Medicaid or CHIP coverage that has automatically renewed without the recipient taking any action. Now that the Public Health Emergency (PHE) is coming to an end, recipients MUST take action to keep their Texas health care benefits.

When the PHE ends, the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) will review all Medicaid and CHIP recipients to determine if they are still eligible for benefits. Medicaid and CHIP recipients are encouraged to respond to HHSC with updated documentation to confirm their eligibility. Recipients who do not respond to renewal or information requests from HHSC may lose benefits when automatic coverage ends.

"We want to make sure that our community has the information they need to have the coverage they deserve. Community First is prepared to guide our Members and community through their application or renewal process so they can continue to have access to quality and affordable health care," says Theresa Scepanski, President & CEO of Community First Health Plans.

Medicaid and CHIP recipients have three options to renew their eligibility. 1. They are encouraged to check their current status and renew online at YourTexasBenefits.com. 2. Recipients will receive a notice and renewal packet sent in the mail and should be completed and returned as soon as possible. 3. Recipients can submit their application by calling 2-1-1 and follow the voice prompts. Completing the renewal application online is the best and easiest option.

Community First is also urging recipients to:

• Check your renewal date on YourTexasBenefits.com or the Your Texas Benefits mobile app
• Sign up for electronic notices on YourTexasBenefits.com
• Call 2-1-1 and select option 2
• Provide the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) with your most up-to-date eligibility information, including your address, income, and household changes
• Complete and return any requests from HHSC in the next few weeks

Recipients who need additional assistance can use a step-by-step resource guide prepared by Community First Health Plans, Inc. to help renew coverage. To access this guide, visit RenewMyTexasBenefits.com for more information or to make an appointment with Community First for in-person or over-the-phone assistance. Please note that you do not have to be a Community First Member to access the guide.

About Community First Health Plans
Community First Health Plans was established in 1995, by the University Health System, specifically to begin providing health care coverage to the citizens of Bexar and the surrounding seven counties. As the only locally owned and managed, non-profit health plan in the area, our commitment to our members is to provide great health care benefits backed by outstanding service, delivered by people who live right here in South Texas. Our goal is to make San Antonio have more successful health outcomes by putting the community first. Learn more at https://communityfirsthealthplans.com.