How to Cancel Medicaid

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

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You may qualify for Medicaid because your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below the government threshold, or for another reason such as age (over 65) or disability. [1] X Research source Depending on where you live, you also may be in an HMO through Medicaid Managed Care. The process for canceling Medicaid is different for each of these 3 types. Although Medicaid is administered by individual states, the process for cancellation of your coverage is roughly the same throughout the US.

Reach out to your state's healthcare department, or head to your state's marketplace website if you'd like to do an online cancellation. Wait for a letter to come in the mail to confirm that your Medicaid is cancelled.

Canceling MAGI Medicaid Coverage

• If you're not familiar with your state's offices, do a search online to find the main website. The website should have a toll-free number as well as a location directory for physical offices.
• You also may be able to find contact information on your Medicaid card.

• If you don't already have an account but want to cancel your Medicaid online, follow the prompts to set up an account first. Once your account is verified you should be able to use it to cancel your coverage.

• For example, if you request cancellation of your Medicaid on December 7, your coverage will actually end on December 31.

Confirm cancellation of your coverage. You will receive a written notification in the mail to inform you that your Medicaid has been cancelled. It will include information on the last effective date of your coverage, and any other steps you need to take.

• If you are no longer eligible, your coverage will be cancelled. This could happen if, for example, you get married, or get a new job that pays more money than your old job.
• You may also have the option of simply ending your coverage, although typically you have to report changed circumstances as a reason to end your coverage.
• You can report online, over the phone, or by visiting a local Medicaid office in person.

Canceling Classic Medicaid Coverage

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• For example, you may have qualified for Medicaid coverage because you are over 65, or because you have a disability, such as blindness.

• There may be contact information on your Medicaid card, or on any Medicaid statements you've received. You can also find contact information and addresses of local offices on the website of your state's health care department.

• When you log in, look for a link to "Report changes" or "Edit your coverage." Click the link and follow the prompts to cancel your Medicaid coverage.
• When you cancel your coverage, check the final date that you'll be covered under Medicaid. If you now have other health insurance, you want to make sure there's no gap between when your Medicaid ends and your new coverage starts.

• Review the notice and make sure all the information on it is correct and there's nothing else that you need to do to complete the cancellation.

Canceling Medicaid Managed Care

• If you wait until after that 90-day period, you won't be able to get out of it unless you have an approved reason for needing to do so. For example, you could get out if the doctors didn't speak your language, or if their office was too far away from your home.

• When you call, explain that you want to get out of your HMO and ask for a disenrollment form. They will mail the form to you.

• You also may be asked for the reason you're requesting disenrollment from the HMO. If you believe you are exempt or excluded from the HMO requirements, you may need to provide additional information.

• If you need your disenrollment processed more quickly, you may be able to have your disenrollment expedited. Call your Medicaid office and tell them you need an expedited disenrollment form. Be prepared to tell them the reason you need expedited processing.

• Your notice will include instructions on how to appeal the decision. You only have a limited time to file your appeal, so if you plan to appeal the decision you should do so as soon as possible.

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1. ↑https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/index.html
2. ↑https://www.healthcare.gov/how-to-cancel-a-marketplace-plan/
3. ↑https://medicaid.utah.gov/Documents/pdfs/Application2017.pdf
4. ↑https://dhcf.dc.gov/service/what-medicaid
5. ↑https://www.healthcare.gov/how-to-cancel-a-marketplace-plan/
6. ↑https://mobilizationforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/facts/Medicarecaid-GetOutManagedCare.pdf
7. ↑https://mobilizationforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/facts/Medicarecaid-GetOutManagedCare.pdf
8. ↑https://mobilizationforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/facts/Medicarecaid-GetOutManagedCare.pdf
9. ↑https://mobilizationforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/facts/Medicarecaid-GetOutManagedCare.pdf

About This Article

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 255,820 times.

To cancel classic Medicaid coverage, you can call or visit your state’s Medicaid office so a trained staff member can ensure your coverage is cancelled correctly. If you’ve set up an account on your state’s health care marketplace website, you might also be able to cancel your coverage online. Just log into your account and click the link that says “Report changes” or “Edit your coverage.” To cancel modified adjusted gross income Medicaid, contact your state’s health care department. You might also be able to cancel it online through your state’s marketplace website. No matter the type of Medicaid you’re canceling, make sure you select the correct date for your coverage to end. You should also receive a written notification of your cancellation in the mail afterwards. For information on how to cancel Medicaid managed care, scroll down!

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