At the community health center in downtown Lowell, patient navigator Abbas Tanner made a phone call — one of dozens that he and his colleagues would make that day.
If for some reason they don’t receive their renewal notice, or don’t respond fast enough, they could lose health coverage altogether. The stakes are high. Individuals who lose their insurance may be less likely to seek health care when they need it, or they could face big bills for care. Already, data from states that have moved more quickly to trim their Medicaid enrollment shows that more than 70% areLevine said this early data from other states underscores the need for outreach and education, so that people don’t lose coverage inadvertently.The state campaign to reach MassHealth members ranges from community events and TV ads to calls and text messages.in nine languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Khmer, Chinese and Vietnamese.
If MassHealth members don't take action to renew,"there's a possibility that they may lose coverage — and that's what nobody wants," Gonzalez said.Enrollment specialists, including those at Lowell Community Health Center, are working across the state to help people renew their MassHealth insurance, or move to other plans.