HARRISBURG, PA — In a bid to enhance the Medicaid renewal process in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking feedback directly from those who know it best – the enrollees themselves. DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh announced the launch of a survey, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Medicaid Research Center, aimed at collecting first-hand experiences from enrollees about their annual renewals.
The move comes as the DHS prepares for the end of the Medicaid continuous coverage period and seeks to assess new outreach strategies implemented to assist individuals with their annual renewals. The goal is to ensure that Pennsylvanians can complete their renewals on time and avoid potential lapses in coverage.
“As the unwinding nears its end, we want to assess these new strategies and determine what can stay in place to help Pennsylvanians continue to complete their annual renewals on time and avoid lapses in coverage,” said Secretary Arkoosh. She further emphasized the importance of Medicaid recipients’ participation in the survey to strengthen the renewal process.
The survey, which formally launched on January 18, 2024, will be conducted via text message. Participants will receive texts from the number 1-844-410-2713, inviting them to share their experiences with the Medicaid renewal process. Text messages will read:
“The University of Pittsburgh, at the request of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, is surveying people about their healthcare coverage so the process can be improved. Can you please take a minute to fill out a survey about your experience? If you want more information, click here or call 1-844-655-2300. If you want to start the survey, click here.
“Text STOP at any time to opt out of text messaging. Text and message rates may apply.”
The survey will not request any unique individually identifying information. Instead, it will focus on participants’ experiences with Medicaid renewal and collect certain demographic data. Participation is entirely voluntary, responses are anonymous, and participating in the survey will not affect a person’s ability to enroll in or continue Medicaid participation.
The DHS’s initiative to collect feedback directly from Medicaid enrollees is a significant step towards improving healthcare coverage in the state. By understanding the challenges and successes experienced by enrollees during the renewal process, DHS can make informed changes to enhance the system’s effectiveness and efficiency.
The feedback collected will also help DHS better understand the impact of its outreach strategies. This could lead to more targeted and effective communication, helping ensure that Medicaid recipients are well-prepared for their annual renewals and avoid any lapses in coverage.
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