Millions of New York residents enrolled in Medicaid and other insurance programs remain at risk of losing their benefits unless they renew them. Earlier this year, the end of the federal COVID-19 emergency brought changes to what was an automatic renewal process. Recent efforts in Rochester were designed to keep people connected to their benefits.

When James Langill needs to see a doctor, he knows there’s a place to take care of him right down the street. His Branches Community Health Center, in Rochester’s 19th Ward, serves the underserved.

“Oh they’re very friendly,” said Langill. “And they try to support you whichever way they can.”

“We serve a very diverse population of people,” said Brittanie McClary, a case manager. “Generally people who have a harder time staying connected to the health care system.”

In her job, McClary helps navigate clients through things like health care coverage — something Langill needs a little help with.

“It’s very confusing,” said Langill, who recently lost his wife of 21 years. “The problem now is my wife always did that. Now I have to do it. So it’s a learning curve right now.”

Right outside the clinic on a recent day, there was help to be found — needed now more than ever. Representatives from Fidel’s Care were on hand, to help people with their coverage questions and issues. During the pandemic, people enrolled in several forms of health coverage through New York State of Health had their insurance automatically renewed.

“Those rules are over now,” said Megan Woodward, Fidel’s Care vice president of retention. “So it's really important when you get your notice that it's time to renew, to respond quickly, provide the information that's requested and continue to access care.”

Fidelis Care teamed up with His Branches Community Health Center to get the word out that millions of New Yorkers, and thousands in the Rochester area covered by Medicaid, Child Health Plus and other programs would need to renew their coverage on their own — or risk losing out. 

“Because it has been automatic for the last three years, people have developed a kind of out-of-sight,-out-of-mind mentality,” said McClary. “So it's kind of shifting the mentality back to, I have to take action to make sure that I can maintain my coverage. That's very important.”

“The consequence is being unable to see your doctor or being unable to get a prescription filled,” said Woodward. “And that's that's really a huge issue.”

The good news for those who miss their renewal deadline is they are allowed to file for an extension. Deadlines are based on enrollment end dates and will continue through May 2024.