About 13,000 Idahoans removed from Medicaid for not replying to the state’s request for information after pandemic-era protections lapsedhave gotten back on the program, an official announced Tuesday.
Idaho health officials in August finished reviewing the eligibility of 153,000 people they flagged as likely ineligible for Medicaid, either for not replying to the state’s request for information or because their information showed they were not eligible.
Idaho removed 121,000 people in that group from Medicaid rolls, but state officials only proved that about 45,000 people were actually ineligible for Medicaid. Another 77,000 people were removed because they didn’t reply to the state’s requests for information, said Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Deputy Director Jennifer Palagi.
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Who qualifies for Medicaid enrollment in Idaho?
Anyone eligible for Idaho Medicaid can enroll at any time. Idaho Medicaid is open to single adults who earn $1,677 each month, or a household of two that earns $2,268 per month. The program’s income guidelines for various household sizes are available online. Idaho Medicaid’s income limits for children are higher.
Palagi told the Department of Health and Welfare’sboard on Tuesday that state officials expect more people removed to get back on the program – a process commonly called “churn.” People losing Medicaid coverage and then getting back on the program happens normally, she said. But experts have expected it more frequently now as states begin to review Medicaid eligibility for the first time since the pandemic.
“We expect more churn,” Palagi said.
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Anyone who lost Medicaid since April 2023 can enroll in insurance policies on Your Health Idaho, the state’s health insurance exchange, until Nov. 30 through what officials call a special open enrollment period. Insurance plans through Your Health Idaho are open to anyone to sign up for policies effective in 2024 until Dec. 15.
By late September, 31% of Idahoans removed from Medicaid were receiving coverage through Your Health Idaho. But officials have said they don’t know where everyone removed from Medicaid is going for health coverage.
Medicaid disenrollment has been taking place in states across the U.S.
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Nationally, since states began to evaluate the eligibility of people on Medicaid, five million people were removed from the program, including two million children, according to Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.
Idaho has the second highest Medicaid removal rate of all states, at 64%, just behind Texas, according to KFF. Idaho also had the third highest rate of procedural disenrollments, which is when officials remove people from Medicaid for not replying to the state’s request for information, KFF reports.
About 48% of people removed from Medicaid in Idaho were children, the fourth highest rate of children being removed, KFF reports.
Idaho beganto remove people from Medicaid earlier and more targeted than other states.
Idaho started removing people from Medicaid in April, when pandemic-era protections for Medicaid enrollees were lifted. Only four states started removing people that early.
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Idaho officials also focused on removing people from Medicaid they thought were likely ineligible. Only 21 states prioritized at least some renewals for people who were likely ineligible.
State officials previously told the Idaho Capital Sun that the rate of people removed for not replying to the state would decline after the state completes reviewing people likely ineligible for Medicaid.
Idaho Medicaid serves about 450,000 people, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said in its budget request submitted in September.
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What is Medicaid disenrollment?
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A federal law during the COVID-19 pandemic stopped states from removing people from Medicaid. States may now remove people who no longer qualify. But Idaho didn’t stop processing renewals for people on Medicaid during the pandemic. Instead of removing ineligible people from the program during the renewal process, state officials flagged them as likely to be removed.
The state health department flagged about 153,000 people in that time — either because they didn’t respond to the state’s requests for their information, or their records showed they were ineligible for Medicaid. Those people became what Idaho called the “Medicaid Protection” population.
Officials stress that if you are removed from Medicaid but are still eligible or become eligible, you can reapply at any time. Idaho will also reinstate Medicaid coverage for people removed from Medicaid who filled out part of their application to avoid gaps in coverage after removal if people reapply within 90 days after being removed.
To make sure you know when the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is evaluating the eligibility of your Medicaid, update your address and contact info with the department. Go online to idalink.idaho.gov, or contact [email protected] or call 877-456-1233.
IDAHO FALLS – Idaho Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the education and awareness of cardiovascular health, is gearing up for its third annual youth event this Friday.
It’s hosting a 1980s-themed Youth Party Friday at the Downtown Event Center at 480 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls.
The youth-led event will include CPR and AED training and competitions, along with a live DJ, free food, games and raffle prizes.
Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their favorite 80s attire.
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Jake Gilbert, the organization’s vice president, tells EastIdahoNews.com the purpose of it is to provide CPR training and demonstrate how to use an automated external defibrillator. It’s also a fundraiser for the organization.
“It’s geared to get the word out to the youth in our community how important and easy CPR training really is,” Gilbert says. “One of our slogans is ‘you’re never too old or too young to save a life,’ and we want to keep going with that.”
Leah Whitmer, a senior at Compass Academy who’s a member of the foundation, is helping to organize the event. She’s passionate about this subject and is encouraging people to attend.
She joined the foundation after meeting Dr. Blake Wachter, the organization’s president and founder, when she was 13.
RELATED | Cardiologist partners with local businesses to help save lives in eastern Idaho
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“I was really inspired by her passion for teaching the public about CPR and AEDs and I wanted to be able to share that same passion with her,” Leah says.
Although she’s never had to perform CPR in real life, Leah’s interacted with a lot of people who’ve had heart issues and she’s grateful to have the knowledge and skills to help in a moment of crisis.
She started taking healthcare courses at College of Eastern Idaho as a high school student and is considering getting a Ph.D. in a healthcare-related field.
Gilbert had a heart transplant years ago while under the care of Dr. Wachter. After his surgery, he learned about Wachter’s nonprofit and wanted to be part of it.
RELATED | Idaho Heart Foundation gearing up for third annual Heart Ball
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The Heart Ball and youth event are just two of the foundation’s fundraisers held every year. It’s thrilling for Gilbert to see the youth’s interest continue to increase.
“The youth really wanted to get involved, so we let them coordinate and set up their own event,” says Gilbert. “Youth learn better from … their peers. So we let them run with their ideas and train their peers.”
The youth event has been well-attended in year’s past, Gilbert says, and he’s hoping this year is the biggest one yet.
Leah hopes those who attend will feel inclined to join the organization.
“Being involved has a really positive impact on our community,” Leah says. “We want as many people as possible to come.”
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The party starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. There will be adult supervision. Those who attend are encouraged to make a $5 donation.
Courtesy Idaho Heart Foundation
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Starting November 4th, 2024, Idaho Fish and Game will draw down Moose Creek Reservoir to control Pondweed. Pondweed has drastically limited fishing opportunities at the reservoir and drawing the water level down will help suppress this nuisance vegetation. Water levels will remain 8-10 feet below the full pool throughout the winter until spring runoff refills the reservoir. This technique was used at Moose Creek Reservoir in 2018 and was very successful.
The fishery will remain open with all fishing regulations still in effect. These efforts should provide better fishing opportunities for the next 5-7 years before Pondweed potentially becomes an issue again.
Fisheries biologists will be moving bass and bluegill to other fisheries to provide additional opportunities to anglers during the draw-down period. October’s trout stocking for Moose Creek Reservoir will be moved to Elk Creek Reservoir in anticipation of this effort. Idaho Fish and Game will resume stocking trout in Moose Creek Reservoir starting in the spring of 2025.
Please contact Joe Thiessen (Clearwater Regional Fisheries Biologist) at 208-750-4218 with any questions or comments about these efforts.
For the first time ever, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is naming snowplows! Name A Snowplow is a fun way to spread awareness about snowplow safety, foster a sense of ownership among the community, and teach future drivers how to be safe when driving near snowplows. We are partnering with the Idaho Department of Education to collect name ideas from Idaho 8th graders. This age group was selected because they are about to attend driver’s education.
We are asking 8th grade classrooms to come up with names and submit them by October 31, 2024. Instructions for how to submit names will be distributed to teachers through the Idaho Department of Education. ITD will also distribute educational materials about snowplow safety.
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Contest Rules:
Eligibility
Open to 8th grade classrooms.
Classrooms must be located in Idaho.
Submission Guidelines
One name per classroom.
Names must be appropriate | MAX 15 characters (including spaces).
Submit name via Microsoft Form. The submission link is only being provided to eighth grade teachers through the Idaho Department of Education.
*If the same name is submitted by multiple classrooms, only the first entry received will be considered.
Selection Process
Names must be submitted by October 31.
ITD employees will vote on submissions in November.
12 winning names will be selected—two from each of Idaho’s six regions—and winners announced by early January. Names will be featured on the plows’ blades.
Winning classrooms will receive recognition and a special visit from the snowplow bearing its chosen name. Media will be invited to cover the event.
Additional Information
Classrooms are free to conduct their own internal voting to select their submission.
Submissions that do not meet the criteria will be disqualified.
By submitting a snowplow name, you grant ITD all rights to use, display and publish the name for promotional purposes.
Timeline
Classrooms submit names October 1 to 31, 2024.
ITD Employees vote on names in November 2024.
Winners announced December 2024.
Plow visits with winning classrooms/schools December 2024 through January 2025.
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