LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — County officials will be leading a series of public meetings and conducting outreach to help thousands of Lake County residents navigate reinstated requirements for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government temporarily waived Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements for annual eligibility redeterminations.
As a result, Medi-Cal members kept their health coverage continuously during the public health emergency.
However, now those eligibility requirements are back in effect, according to Lake County Social Services.
Starting with redeterminations due in June 2023, counties are required to start processing redeterminations and taking appropriate actions following regulation.
Lake County Social Services reported that all active Medi-Cal customers will undergo a redetermination over the next 12 months and while they will try to auto renew as many customers as they can, it is not always possible.
Lake County has 37,542 active individuals receiving Medi-Cal benefits and the majority of them will have to complete a redetermination. It averages to around 3,128 per month.
County officials need the help of those covered by Medi-Cal to ensure they and their families remain covered.
If you have not already, please ensure that your contact information is correct with the Social Services Department and check your mail often. You will receive a redetermination packet in the mail 60 days prior to the due date and it must be returned in time to avoid any lapse in coverage.
The redetermination packet may look overwhelming as it is quite large, but most of the paperwork you receive will be educational materials. The only forms you must return to the county are the ones that ask you about your contact information, household, income and property.
To make it even easier, it will come with a prepaid return envelope that is already addressed; just complete the forms, sign and date, stuff the envelope and make sure the Lake County Social Services mailing address is visible through the window.
To aid the community in this effort and to make sure the county is available to help Medi-Cal recipients, the county has staffed a new counter service unit at its office at 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway in Lower Lake. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be both English and Spanish speakers available in person. If you have a different primary language, translators are available by phone.
For those who may not be able to make it into the office, there also will be numerous outreach events staffed with Social Services employees ready to help.
Here is the scheduled listing of outreach events for July 2023:
• Thursday, July 6, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 6, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Friday, July 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
• Friday, July 7, 5 to 7 p.m.: Middletown Farmers Market, 21249 Washington St.
• Thursday, July 13, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 13, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Friday, July 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 14, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
• Tuesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Clearlake Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.
• Tuesday, July 18, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 20, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Friday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 21, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
• Thursday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Kelseyville Senior Center, 5245 Third St.
• Friday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
Ways to complete your redetermination on your own:
• Mail it in: P.O. Box 9000, Lower Lake, CA 95457.
• Drop it off: 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake.
• Online: https://benefitscal.com or https://www.coveredca.com.
• By phone: 707-995-4200 or 800-628-5288.
For more information on the resumption of Medi-Cal Redeterminations please visit https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/pages/keep-your-medi-cal.aspx.
Tens of thousands of Lake County Medi-Cal recipients required to go through redetermination process
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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