I lost Medicaid at renewal. What can I do?

Health insuranceAppealChecked Nov 5, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: eCFR · 42 CFR 435.916 · § 435.916 (12-month renewal; reconsideration) View original ↗

In short

Read the notice. It says why Medicaid ended and how to appeal.
If you missed the form, send it in. You may not need a new application.
Ask for a hearing fast. You have no more than 90 days.

What this means

For most people, Medicaid checks eligibility once every 12 months [1]. If you were cut off because you did not send the renewal form or papers, send them now. If you send the form within 90 days after the end date, the state must look again without a new application. Some states give longer [1].

If you think the state got it wrong, ask for a fair hearing. The state must give you a reasonable time, not more than 90 days from the date the notice was mailed [2]. The state must send notice at least 10 days before it acts, with some exceptions [3]. If you ask for a hearing before the date of action, the state usually may not stop your services until the hearing decision [4]. If the state wins the hearing, it may try to get back the cost of those services [4].

If you are no longer eligible, look at the Marketplace. HealthCare.gov says that if you lost Medicaid or CHIP in the past 90 days, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period [5].

Your next step

Find the date the notice was mailed. If you missed paperwork, send the renewal form to your state Medicaid agency now. If you disagree, request a fair hearing in writing, by phone, or online — before the date of action if you want services to continue.

Deadline: the state's hearing deadline, which can be no more than 90 days from the date the notice was mailed.

Check it yourself

Your notice shows the action date, the reason, and your state's exact hearing deadline. The 90-day renewal window can be longer in your state — "Don't know yet" for your state; ask your Medicaid agency. Medicaid.gov pages returned 403 to our check, so we used the federal rule text instead.

Where this comes from (5)

[1] eCFR · 42 CFR 435.916 · § 435.916 (12-month renewal; reconsideration) · checked 2026-11-05
the eligibility of Medicaid beneficiaries whose financial eligibility is determined using MAGI-based income must be renewed once every 12 months, and no more frequently than once every 12 months. … Reconsider in a timely manner the eligibility of an individual who is terminated for failure to submit the renewal form or necessary information, if the individual subsequently submits the renewal form within 90 days after…
[2] eCFR · 42 CFR 431.221 · § 431.221(d) · checked 2026-11-05
The agency must allow the applicant or beneficiary a reasonable time, not to exceed 90 days from the date that notice of action is mailed, to request a hearings.
[3] eCFR · 42 CFR 431.211 · § 431.211 · checked 2026-11-05
The State or local agency must send a notice at least 10 days before the date of action, except as permitted under §§ 431.213 and 431.214 .
[4] eCFR · 42 CFR 431.230 · § 431.230(a)-(b) · checked 2026-11-05
If the agency sends the 10-day or 5-day notice as required under § 431.211 or § 431.214 of this subpart , and the beneficiary requests a hearing before the date of action, the agency may not terminate or reduce services until a decision is rendered after the hearing unless— … If the agency's action is sustained by the hearing decision, the agency may institute recovery procedures against the applicant or beneficiary …
[5] HealthCare.gov · Special Enrollment Period · checked 2026-11-05
If you lost Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage in the past 90 days, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

How we found this

We matched your question to 5 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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