Online enrollment for Ohio Medicaid set to begin Dec. 9

State officials announced this week that Ohioans seeking Medicaid coverage can apply for benefits online beginning Dec. 9, including those who are newly eligible as a result of Medicaid expansion (Source: “Ohio online Medicaid signups will start Dec. 9,” Columbus Dispatch, Nov. 13, 2013)

According to Greg Moody, director of the Governor’s Office of Health Transformation, the rollout is about a month ahead of schedule. “Technically we think the system is ready, but we need to get caseworkers trained,” Moody said.

However, Moody did not rule out a delay should the state system experience technical problems.

“After watching some of the challenges with the federal system, we are preparing and testing the system as if every person will (enroll) Dec. 9,” although enrollment is expected in waves, Moody said.

Ohio’s online system for Medicaid enrollment, www.benefits.ohio.gov, is a self-service website designed to make it easier for applicants and caseworkers. The state launched the site Oct. 1 for a relatively small group of young adults aging out of the foster-care system.