MHL Deeming Member Q & A

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Q. What is Medicaid Redetermination?

A. The Redetermination process is used for annual reviews to renew your Medicaid benefits. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) must periodically re-determine an individual’s eligibility for active programs. The Redetermination process includes a thorough review of all eligibility factors.

Q. What happens if I’m enrolled in MI Health Link and I do not get my Redetermination paperwork on time or my caseworker does not process it right away?

A. If your paperwork is not entered into the system by the due date, you will lose full Medicaid eligibility. The following actions can result in your paperwork not being entered into the system by the due date:

  • Not turning in your paperwork by the due date
  • MDHHS staff not having enough time to review your paperwork by the deadline for Redetermination


The good news is that the MI Health Link program allows you to remain enrolled in your health care program for up to three calendar months after the due date. This gives you a chance to get your redetermination paperwork sorted out with your caseworker. This period of time is called the “deeming” period. 

Q. What should I do if I think I am still eligible for full Medicaid?

A. Submit your Medicaid Redetermination paperwork to your caseworker, if you have not done so already. If you have submitted your paperwork, contact your MDHHS caseworker to discuss your case and see if anything else is needed.

Q. How will I know if I am in deeming?

A. Your MI Health Link health plan will send you a letter informing you that you are in deeming.

Q. Does deeming mean I am eligible for Medicaid?

A. No, you are not deemed eligible for Medicaid until your Redetermination paperwork is reviewed by your caseworker and you meet all eligibility factors. You can continue to be enrolled in MI Health Link and receive all of your Medicare and most of your Medicaid health care services while you are in deeming.

Q. Is deeming a good thing?

A. Yes, deeming allows you to continue to receive your Medicaid services from your MI Health Link health plan. You would not be able to get these services without deeming. Deeming is like a grace period or extension on your Redetermination deadline that gives you time to straighten out your paperwork with your caseworker.

Q. What happens when deeming ends?

A. If you do not regain full Medicaid eligibility by the end of the deeming period, you will no longer be enrolled in the MI Health Link health plan. Your MI Health Link health plan will send you a letter explaining you are no longer enrolled.

You will receive your Medicare services through traditional Medicare or you can choose a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Part D plan. You will no longer be eligible to receive Medicaid services.

Q. Can I choose a different Medicare Advantage Plan during deeming?

A. Yes, you have the right to choose a different Medicare Advantage plan during deeming. If you do that, you will not receive any Medicaid benefits. The only way to continue to receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits during deeming is if you stay in your MI Health Link health plan. Your plan will continue to provide you with both Medicaid and Medicare services during deeming.

Q. What services do I receive during deeming?

A. Your MI Health Link health plan is required to continue to provide Medicare and Medicaid services during the deeming period including personal care, nursing home care, and home and community based services. Other services may be available too.

Q. Are any services not covered during deeming?

A. Medicaid services for behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, or substance use disorders may not be covered during deeming. If you have any questions about Medicaid behavioral health services and whether you can receive these services during deeming, contact your behavioral health provider. Medicare behavioral health services will still be covered during the deeming period.

Q. Will I have to pay for services during deeming?

A. No. There is no co-pay or deductibles for services provided by a provider in your health plan’s network during the deeming period.

Q. Will I pay for services if I don’t regain full Medicaid?

A. Health plans must pay for all covered Medicaid services during the three calendar month deeming period. Even if you are not able to get full Medicaid coverage back by the end of the three calendar month deeming period, the health plan cannot ask you to pay for any services you received during those three calendar months.

Q. Will my providers know I am in deeming?

A. Yes. When your providers check for Medicaid eligibility, they will see a message that tells them you are in deeming status and they should bill the health plan for the services they provide to you.

Q. Where do I turn in my Redetermination paperwork?

A. Once you have completed your Redetermination paperwork, you must return it along with your proofs to your assigned MDHHS caseworker. Your Redetermination paperwork should be taken to your local MDHHS office or returned by mail to your local MDHHS office by the date listed on your Redetermination paperwork. Contact your caseworker if you have not received your Redetermination paperwork. Click here to find your local MDHHS office phone number. Make sure you have your ID number or case number before you call.

Q. Can I turn in my Redetermination paperwork online?

A. Yes, go to https://www.mibridges.michigan.gov/access/ to renew your benefits online and access your case. Contact your caseworker if you need information regarding your case. Click here to find your local MDHHS office phone number in order to contact your caseworker. Make sure you have your ID number or case number before you call.

Q. What do I do if I want to submit my paperwork online, but I do not have Internet access from my home?

A. Contact your local library or your local MDHHS office regarding Internet access. Click here to find your local library address and phone number. Click here to find your local MDHHS office phone number. Reach out to your primary care physician (PCP) office to see if they have resources available.

Q. What if I need assistance completing my “Redetermination” paperwork?

A. If you need help with your Redetermination paperwork, please call your local MDHHS office for help. Click here to find your local MDHHS office phone number. Make sure you have your ID number or case number before you call. You can contact Member Services from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (855) 735-5604 to find out who your Care Coordinator is.

Q. What information do I need to fill out my “Redetermination” paperwork?

A. You will need the following information, in order to fill out your Redetermination paperwork, in addition to submitting copies of these documents “as they apply to your situation” as proofs to your local MDHHS caseworker:

  • Identification
  • Social Security numbers for everyone in the household who is applying
  • Income (current or date it stopped)
  • Application or receipt of unemployment compensation benefits (UCB)
  • Assets (e.g., bank account statements, 401k and other investment account balances, investment accounts, trust funds etc.)
  • Shelter expenses (e.g., rent receipt, mortgage payment, property tax bill, home owner insurance, heat, electric, phone, water etc.)
  • Child support paid
  • Day care expenses
  • Medical or health insurance card
  • Medical bills, unpaid
  • Shut-off notices for shelter, heat or utilities
  • Alien/Immigration status
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Divorce Decree
  • Paternity Acknowledgement
  • Pregnancy, expected date of delivery and number of children expected

Q. How often do I need to fill out my “Redetermination” form?

A. You will need to fill out your Redetermination paper annually. If you have a life change you are required to contact your local MDHHS caseworker to inform them of the change. Life changes include:

  • Name change
  • Address change
  • Income change (rate of pay, employer, hours worked per week if more than a 5 hour difference, if anyone stops getting Social Security, pension changes, child support changes, or any unearned income change more than $50 since the last reported change.
  • Job starts, changes and stops
  • Changes in the number of people living in your home (including having a new baby)
  • Shelter expenses (e.g., rent receipt, mortgage payment, property tax bill, home owner insurance, heat, electric, phone, water etc.)
  • Work Related Activities (Report if anyone in your household participated in approved employment-related activities such as Work Participation program, High School completion, GED or College.)
  • Child Care or Disabled Adult Care (report any need for, or change in, child care or disabled adult.)
  • Assets (You should report such changes as buying, selling, giving away, transferring, or receiving any assets. Type of assets include but are not limited to: bank accounts, land, cars and other vehicles, boats, life insurance, investments, lawsuit settlements and any other property.)
  • Health insurance changes
  • Medical expenses
  • School attendance
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