Ohioans who signed up for Medicaid through federal site urged to reapply

Tens of thousands of Ohioans who thought they had enrolled for Medicaid coverage through the federal HealthCare.gov website are being told that they will have to reapply through the state (Source: “Thought Healthcare.gov signed you up for Medicaid? Better think again,” Columbus Dispatch, Jan. 14, 2014).

According to federal and state officials, applicants who used the federally facilitated marketplace and were told they were eligible for Medicaid were not signed up because of computer problems. Ohio Medicaid officials say they were told by federal regulators that applications from 66,500 individuals could not be transferred because of the computer glitches.

The state is urging anyone who submitted a Medicaid application on the federal website to reapply through the state website, benefits.ohio.gov, or through their county Department of Job and Family Services. Eligibility will be retroactive to Jan. 1, assuming the applicant qualifies for coverage.