Keep Your Medicaid Coverage
What You Need to Know:
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Big changes are coming to Medicaid in January 2027.
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If you or someone in your family receives insurance from Jefferson Health Plans, Keystone First, United Healthcare Community Plan, UPMC for You, Geisinger, or Community Behavioral Health, you have Medicaid.
What Can You Do Today?
- Make sure your contact information is up to date with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) and your health plan.
- Update your address: Log in to COMPASS at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA mobile app to check and update your address and other contact information.
- Report address changes to the US Postal Service: If you updated your address in COMPASS, you also need to report address changes to the US Postal Service to ensure you receive mail from us. Visit USPS.com/move to update your address.
- Sign up for texts and emails from DHS: Visit dhs.pa.gov/text to sign up for texts and emails to get even faster notifications about your benefits.
- Open and read the mail you recieve from PA DHS or your health plan.
- Respond immediately to mail and all requests for information from PA DHS and your health plan.
- Track your activities. Keep track of any work, volunteer, job training, or school hours you complete each month. Start now so you’ll be ready to show that you meet the new requirement when it’s time to renew your coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I Covered By Medicaid?
Call the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) customer service center to find out if you are actively enrolled in Medicaid.
Be prepared to be placed on hold when calling. Remember, access to reliable, quality health care is worth the wait.
- Statewide Customer Service Center - 1-877-395-8930
- Philadelphia Customer Service Center - 1-215-560-7226
- You can also visit compass.state.pa.us to view your coverage information via the PA COMPASS portal.
How Can I Apply or Reapply for Mediciad?
Learn about how to apply or reapply for Medicaid on our Member Resources page.
I'm Worried About Losing My Medicaid Coverage, What Can I Do?
The best thing you can do is make sure your address and phone number are up to date with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services so they can send you important information about your coverage.
You can update your information by contacting the Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930 or 1-215-560-7226 in Philadelphia, or updating it online through your PA COMPASS account.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Do these coverage changes affect me?
Yes. Starting October 1, 2026, new federal rules change who can get Medicaid:
If you or someone in your household is receiving Medicaid and is affected by these changes, PA DHS will send you a letter before October 2026.
This letter asks you to submit documents related to your immigration status to determine whether you can continue to receive benefits. Please watch for this letter and make sure you submit your documents.
If you do not submit your documents on time, your Medicaid coverage may end starting October 1, 2026.
More Information: For complete details on noncitizen eligibility, visit the PA Department of Human Services Noncitizen Eligibility Page.
I've Applied for Medicaid. How Can I Check My Application?
Users can check the status of their application at any time without needing to log in to their PA COMPASS account at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.
How Will I Know If I’ve Been Denied Coverage Or If My Coverage Was Terminated?
- You will receive a notice from PA DHS at the last address on record, stating that you were denied Medicaid or that your coverage was terminated.
- If you don’t know if you received a notice, or if your address may have changed recently, call the PA DHS Customer Service Centers or visit dhs.pa.gov to find out if you have active Medicaid coverage.
- Your health care provider may tell you that your Medicaid coverage is inactive when you schedule an appointment.
- Visit your local County Assistance Office (CAO) and ask a representative.
What Can I Do If I Was Denied Medicaid Coverage Or If My Coverage Was Recently Terminated?
You can appeal the decision by requesting a fair hearing. A fair hearing allows is a formal process where individuals can appeal decisions made by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) related to their Medicaid benefits. For more information about fair hearings and appeals visit https://www.pa.gov/services/dhs/hearings-and-appeals-dhs
- The notice you received in the mail from PA DHS stating that you were denied Medicaid or that your coverage was terminated will include information about how to file an appeal or fair hearing.
- You can request a fair hearing by calling the PA DHS Customer Service Center (877-395-8930) You have a limited amount of time to do so. Request a fair hearing and ask for an explanation of why you were denied or terminated from Medicaid coverage. Be prepared to be placed on hold when calling.
- Visit your local County Assistance Office to request a fair hearing or appeal.
- Call the Pennsylvania Health Law Project Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 for additional assistance.
If the deadline for requesting an appeal or fair hearing has passed, you can reapply for benefits.
Additional Resources
Public assistance programs are changing. Make sure that you’re aware of the tools available to help connect residents to support.
PA COMPASS is an online system where people can apply for, renew, and manage benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance. Help to make sure that your clients keep their information up to date using the PA COMPASS site or mobile apps.
My Benefits Status Tracker will show applicants and clients the current status of their public benefits application in real-time.
SNAP Work Requirement Screening Tool Users can determine if they’re required to meet SNAP work requirements or are exempt.
Users can also ensure that their EBT benefits remain secure. Learn how to protect your benefits from skimming and theft.
The Human Services Helpers program sends alerts about the latest changes to public assistance programs and provides communications toolkits for providers.
myCOMPASS PA is a service of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Community Behavioral Health does not operate the DHS website and COMPASS app.
Please note: This page and its contents are for informational purposes only. Information may have changed since publication. For the most current and accurate guidance about Medicaid coverage, individuals should contact their local County Assistance Office or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
