The Public Health Emergency (PHE) is a federal declaration made by the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services that was put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If it is not renewed every 90 days, it ends.

While the PHE is in place, Pennsylvania is allowed to keep Medical Assistance (MA) open for most people, even if they stopped meeting eligibility criteria or did not return a renewal for their MA. This is known as the continuous eligibility option, and people covered by MA could only have their benefits closed during the PHE if they passed away, moved out of state, or asked DHS to close their coverage.

So, what does this mean for MA recipients in Pennsylvania? Here are five important things to know as we approach a possible end to the federal PHE:

1. When will the PHE end?

On October 13, 2022, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was once again extending the PHE due to COVID-19.

This means that the earliest that the PHE will expire is January 11, 2023. DHS is continuing to monitor the status of the PHE and will let MA recipients know once an expiration date has been announced or if the PHE will be extended past January.

2. MA recipients will need to complete a renewal to make sure they are still eligible for benefits

When the PHE ends, states will have to complete renewals for everyone covered by MA to determine eligibility. Coverage will not automatically end, but when a renewal is received it must be completed. If a renewal is not submitted to DHS or the individual is no longer eligible when they complete their renewal, they will be disenrolled and referred to Pennie or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for additional coverage options.

Renewal Packets

Not all renewals will be mailed to MA recipients at the same time when the PHE ends. DHS will be mailing renewal packets to individuals currently covered by MA the month before their renewal is due. If an individual is signed up to receive text messages from DHS, they will receive a text notification when their renewal packet is mailed. ​A due date will be listed on the renewal packet. If help is needed with completing the renewal or getting the needed verification documents by the due date, MA recipients can contact their local county assistance office or call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 in Philadelphia.

Completing Your Renewal

Renewals can be submitted using one of these three methods:

• • Online: Use the COMPASS website at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS. Verification documents can be submitted electronically using this method or by using the myCOMPASS PA mobile app.
  • Phone: Call 866-550-4355, Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm; a representative will help you through the process and submit your renewal for review.
  • In Person: Complete the forms received in the renewal packet and drop them off at any local county assistance office.

If you have questions regarding completing your renewal, please view the PHE FAQ.

Keep your contact information up-to-date

One of the most important things you can do before the end of the PHE is make sure your phone number, email, and mailing address are up to date with DHS.

You can easily update your information anytime by using your My COMPASS account or the myCOMPASS PA mobile app (available from Apple or Google) . If you do not have a myCOMPASS account or the mobile app, you can call the Statewide Customer Service Center to update your contact information at 877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 in Philadelphia, which are available Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm.

3. If found ineligible, you still have options

If a renewal shows that a recipient is no longer eligible for MA, options are available to stay covered.

• • Age 19 or older — DHS will send the individual’s information to Pennie, Pennsylvania’s state-based health and dental insurance marketplace. Pennie can help review the individual’s coverage options and help learn about financial assistance that may be available to help pay for coverage.
  • Children under age 19 — Individuals will be directly connected to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and parents will learn more about coverage.
  • Reconsiderations — If an individual’s benefits closed because they didn’t send in the renewal or needed proof to go along with it, they can submit the renewal or any associated paperwork up to 90 days after they are closed for the renewal to be reevaluated without the need to submit a new application.
  • Appeals — If an individual believes a mistake was made when conducting their renewal, they can appeal that decision. Directions for how to appeal are on the notice you get from DHS.

4. Resources are available to help in the PHE transition

• • PHE FAQ
  • PHE Videos & Webinars
  • PHE Glossary
  • Sign up to receive PHE communications
  • Sign up to receive text message alerts from DHS about your benefits
  • PHE Communications Timeline

5. Help get the word out about the PHE

• • Learn more and sign up to become a PHE Helper

You and/or your organization can help DHS spread information about the end of the PHE by using your existing communications channels, such as social media and newsletters, to get trusted messages to your neighbors and community members. Simply sign up to be a Helper and you will receive information — key dates, print materials, toolkits, and more — via email that will support you in this effort.