The purpose of this General Information System (GIS) message is to update local departments of social services (LDSS) on the continued extension of Medicaid eligibility and enrollment changes made as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. These changes were outlined in GIS 20 MA/04, “Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Medicaid Eligibility Processes During Emergency Period.”
On October 2, 2020, the federal government announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency has been extended for an additional 90 days beyond the October 23, 2020 deadline, through January 20,2021. The changes to Medicaid eligibility and enrollment outlined in GIS 20 MA/04 will remain in effect through that time.
In conjunction with the recent federal “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (FFCRA) and existing federal Medicaid regulations that provide states with certain flexibilities during times of a disaster, changes were made to ensure that no one who was in receipt of Medicaid coverage on or after March 18,2020 loses their Medicaid coverage during this public health emergency. The only exceptions for discontinuing coverage are when an individual voluntarily terminates coverage, is no longer a resident of the State or is deceased.
Due to the continued public health emergency, Upstate Medicaid cases with authorization and coverage dates ending in October, November and December 2020 and January and February 2021 were systemically extended for 12 months, and individuals will not be required to renew their Medicaid eligibility during the emergency period. Medicaid cases with March 2021 end dates will be extended on December 29, 2020. New York City Medicaid cases with authorization and coverage dates ending in October, November and December were systemically extended for 12 months. Cases with coverage ending in January, February and March will be extended for 12 months around the 18th of the expiration month.

Please click here for GIS 11/ma04.