The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
What you need to know:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many health plans automatically renewed—including Medicaid, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, and Personal Wellness Plan. That means members didn’t have to do anything to keep their health plan.

When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends, these autorenewals will stop. When that happens, you’ll need to take action to keep your coverage.

You’ll hear from NY State of Health (NYSOH) and Healthfirst when it’s time to renew.

Important eligibility changes are coming. Make sure you stay connected.

  • Sign up for text alerts from NYSOH
    Text START to 1-866-988-0327. NYSOH will text you when it’s time to renew your coverage.
  • Make sure your address is up to date
    Visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777 (TTY 1-800-662-1220) to give NYSOH your current mailing address, email address, and cell phone number. NYSOH needs this information so you can be reached about your renewal.
  • If you enrolled in Medicaid through your county’s Medicaid office or through New York City’s Human Resource Administration, contact that office to update your address and contact information. The list below provides the phone number to use based on your county:
  • Nassau Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) – (516) 227-8000
  • NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
    Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island – (888) 692-6116
  • Orange Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) – (845) 291-4000
  • Rockland Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) – (845) 364-2000
  • Sullivan Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) – (845) 292-0100
  • Westchester Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) – (914) 995-3333
  • Check your mail
    NYSOH will mail you information about your Medicaid, Child Health Plus Plan, Essential Plan, or Personal Wellness Plan coverage as your renewal date nears. Follow the instructions right away. This may help you avoid a gap in your coverage.

    If you have Medicaid and a Healthfirst Medicare plan (i.e., Life Improvement Plan or CompleteCare Plan), your local Department of Social Services will mail you a recertification renewal notice and application when it’s time to renew.
  • Look for Healthfirst communications
    As you enter your plan renewal window, Healthfirst will contact you by mail, email, SMS text, or phone. Follow the oral instructions or the instructions on the written pieces and get the most out of your plan by re-enrolling by the due date.

Still have questions?

Healthfirst is here to help. If you have any questions about renewing your health plan when PHE ends, please call us at 1-866-463-6743 (TTY 1-888-542-3821), Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm.

How to renew your plan

Medicaid

You must renew Medicaid Managed Care once a year. When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, you’ll need to actively renew your plan to keep your coverage.

What to expect:
NYSOH will mail you a letter when it’s time to renew. Healthfirst will also reach out by mail, email, text message, or phone to help you keep your coverage.

Essential Plan

You must renew your Essential Plan once a year. When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, you’ll need to actively renew your plan to keep your coverage.

What to expect:
NYSOH will mail you a letter when it’s time to renew. Healthfirst will also reach out by mail, email, text message, or phone to help you keep your coverage.

Personal Wellness Plan (HARP)

You must renew your Personal Wellness Plan once a year. When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, you’ll need to actively renew your plan to keep your coverage.

What to expect:
NYSOH will mail you a letter when it’s time to renew. Healthfirst will also reach out by mail, email, text message, or phone to help you keep your coverage.

Child Health Plus

You must renew Child Health Plus plans once a year. When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, you’ll need to actively renew your child’s plan to keep their coverage.

What to expect:
NYSOH will mail you a letter when it’s time to renew. Healthfirst will also reach out by mail, email, text message, or phone to help you keep your coverage.

Important: If your child turned 19 during the pandemic, call Healthfirst at 1-844-512-0181 (TTY 1-888-542-3821), Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm, and we can help you find a new plan to fit their needs and your budget.

Dual-Eligible Medicaid and Medicare

You must renew your Medicaid coverage once a year. When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, you may soon need to take action to renew your Medicaid coverage in order to keep your current Medicare plan.

What to expect:
Your local Department of Social Services will mail you a recertification renewal notice and application when it’s time to renew. Healthfirst will also reach out by mail, email, text message, or phone to help you keep your coverage.

If you have the Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan and need help renewing your Medicaid coverage, please call our partner vendor, Change Healthcare, at 1-877-218-5188 (TTY 1-855-368-9643), Monday to Saturday, 8am–8pm.

If you have the Healthfirst CompleteCare Plan and need help renewing your Medicaid coverage, please call 1-844-450-5701 (TTY 1-888-542-3821), Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm.

Coverage is provided by Healthfirst PHSP, Inc.

Healthfirst complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-305-0408 (TTY 1-888-867-4132).

 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-866-305-0408 (TTY 1-888-542-3821).

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