The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) is pleased to offer series of upcoming webinars focusing on various Medicaid-related topics. During each session, experts from PHLP will share what advocates and providers need to know about the unwinding of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

Please register for each training using the separate links below. Closed captioning will be available for each session.

If you have any questions about the series or problems with registration, please e-mail Danna Casserly at dcasserly@phlp.org.

Since March 2020, almost everyone has stayed on Medicaid in Pennsylvania even if they were ineligible or didn’t renew. But, beginning in April 2023, people on Medicaid may have that coverage stopped. Moreover, COVID-related extra SNAP benefits called Emergency Allotments ended in February.

This webinar, the first in a series being offered this spring as part of the PHE Unwinding Series, will address Pennsylvania’s plans to review the eligibility of everyone on Medicaid, the loss of the extra SNAP benefits, and what can be to done to help people facing these challenges as COVID-era protections unwind.

Presenters:

Amy Lowenstein, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Louise Hayes, Community Legal Services

Beginning in April 2023, people on Medicaid will need to once again renew their coverage and continue to qualify in order to be covered.

This webinar will introduce the basics of Medicaid (also known as Medical Assistance) eligibility in Pennsylvania, including the financial eligibility requirements, how to apply for coverage, what documents must be submitted with an application, and more. Health care providers, advocates, and consumers are welcome to attend.

Presenters:

Janice Meinert, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Catharine Arranz, Pennsylvania Health Law Project

When Medicaid (also known as Medical Assistance) coverage is denied or stopped, participants have a right to appeal that decision by filing an appeal. Sometimes, appeals can be resolved informally through a process known as Reconsideration.

This webinar will cover the options participants have when Medicaid coverage is denied or stopped. Participants and advocates will learn about a range of topics, including:

• Medicaid application renewals during unwinding
• How to appeal a Medicaid denial
• How to request reconsideration when Medicaid is terminated due to missing documents
• How to keep benefits on during the appeals process
• How to submit supporting documents to the County Assistance Office (CAO)
• Where to get help if the CAO is not responding

Presenters:

James (Jake) Lee, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Pamela Silver, Pennsylvania Health Law Project

April 1, 2023 marks both the beginning of Pennsylvania’s continuous coverage public health emergency (PHE) “unwinding” and the launch of Workers with Job Success, a new Medicaid (Medical Assistance) coverage category.  

This webinar will start with an in-depth review of Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD), an underused Medicaid coverage category that pairs high income and resource limits with flexible program requirements.  The training will then cover the new Workers with Job Security category, which is available to individuals who have been on MAWD for at least a year and whose income exceeds the MAWD limit.  Though open to all, this session is intended for legal services staff and other advocates who have some familiarity with Medicaid eligibility rules.

Presenter:

Kyle Fisher, Pennsylvania Health Law Project

This webinar will cover information regarding eligibility for Medicaid benefits, including the Medicare Savings Programs, for people who have Medicare now or are getting it soon. We will cover the new Medicare Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B after loss of Medicaid and special enrollment periods for Medicare health and drug coverage tied to losing Medicaid.

During the webinar, attendees will learn about getting Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug costs, with a focus on how losing Medicaid impacts continued eligibility for Extra Help. We will also review other options for people on Medicare who lose Medicaid and resources available to find help. 

Presenters:

Erin Guay, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Katy McKee, Pennsylvania Health Law Project