Medicaid/CHIP coverage (doctor, apply, receive, need)

[rabbitsong]

Asking for a 21-year-old single mother.

She applied for Medicaid/CHIP in NC and received coverage in December 2014. Neither parent is willing to cover her. (I thought that was a mandate?) She went to the doctor this afternoon and was told that her Medicaid had expired. Not sure why, as I don't have her card in front of me. She doesn't have internet, so I'm trying to find some information for her. She just turned 21, so I don't know if that was the problem or not. I checked online and found out that she can apply at any time of the year. She doesn't have to wait until open enrollment.

The question I can't get answered is this.... how quickly can she be covered? She is eligible, so if she were to apply online tomorrow, will she be covered immediately? Please help! She needs coverage soon.

Thanks!

[Qwerty]

Chances are she did not recertify her Medicaid. That has to be done every year. Usually they do that online but they should have mailed her something. It's easy, just have to give them income numbers again usually. The mandate to cover kids up to 26 doesn't mean they HAVE to cover them, it just means they can be covered. Call the the Medicaid office with her and see what they say.

[rabbitsong]

Thank you Qwerty. I have passed the info on to her and will report back when we have success!