Apple Health and the public health emergency
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) extended coverage for all Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. This extension ended March 31, 2023 due to the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2023.
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Be aware of Medicaid renewal scams
Washington has received reports of fake texts and phone calls to Apple Health (Medicaid) clients about renewing their Apple Health coverage. We’re asking Apple Health clients to be aware of suspicious contact seeking money to maintain their health coverage. View our announcement for more information.
What does this mean for Apple Health clients?
HCA and DSHS resumed normal operations April 1, 2023. Clients who have coverage through Apple Health will receive a renewal notice prior to the end of their renewal period sometime over the next 12 months, based on their renewal date. View the Changes to Apple Health continuous coverage fact sheet.
For example, if their date is in May, they will receive a renewal notice in the month of April. Clients found not eligible could lose their coverage as early as 4/30, but more likely at the end of May.
Frequently asked questions
View the Unwinding the public health emergency (PHE) for Apple Health (Medicaid) frequently asked questions to learn more.
What can clients do to stay informed?
The best way clients can stay informed is by keeping their contact information up to date. This ensures they receive important notices about their coverage, including their renewal notice. Learn how clients can update their contact information.
Clients should watch for their renewal notice and take timely action to keep their coverage active. Clients will have the opportunity to renew their coverage prior to any closure or transition of coverage.
En español: Actualice su información de contacto de WA Apple Health (Medicaid)
Volunteer Apple Health ambassador program
Apple Health ambassadors are volunteer community partners. Ambassadors help raise awareness around actions clients need to take to maintain coverage by sharing resources and messaging to reach clients.
Their participation in our outreach and communication creates a cohesive voice through culturally competent consistent messaging.
Learn more about our Apple Health ambassador program and view examples of client communications.
Public health emergency status
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ended the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. HCA and DSHS resumed normal operations April 1, 2023. Learn more about how the end of the PHE affects Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage by viewing the end of the PHE eligibility memos.
Translated resources
Apple Health clients can use these translated resources to help learn how to report a change or apply for or renew coverage.
- Report a change
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Apple Health coverage for adults, pregnant individuals, children, and parent/caretakers
Report a change for Apple Health coverage in Washington Healthplanfinder (HCA 19-0090)
Report your changes today to be sure you get Apple Health (Medicaid) updates about your coverage. To learn more, download our flyer on how to report a change in Washington Healthplanfinder.
Also available in the following languages:
አማርኛ - Amharic | العربية - Arabic | မြန်မာ - Burmese | អក្សរខ្មែរ - Cambodian (Khmer) | 中文 - Chinese | لفارسية - Farsi (Persian) | 한국어 - Korean | ພາສາລາວ - Laotian | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ - Punjabi | Русский - Russian | Af-soomaali - Somali | Español - Spanish | ትግርኛ - Tigrigna | Yкраїнський - Ukrainian | Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese
- Apply for or renew coverage
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Apple Health coverage must be renewed each year to maintain health coverage.
Apple Health outreach flyer
Download the Renew your way, stay covered today flyer (HCA 19-0098)
Also available in the following languages:
አማርኛ - Amharic | العربية - Arabic | မြန်မာ - Burmese | អក្សរខ្មែរ - Cambodian (Khmer) | 中文 - Chinese | لفارسية - Farsi (Persian) | 한국어 - Korean | ພາສາລາວ - Laotian | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ - Punjabi | Русский - Russian | Af-soomaali - Somali | Español - Spanish | ትግርኛ - Tigrigna | Yкраїнський - Ukrainian | Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese
Apple Health coverage for adults, pregnant individuals, children, and parent/caretakers
Download the Renewing your Apple Health coverage flyer (HCA 19-053)
Also available in the following languages:
አማርኛ - Amharic | العربية - Arabic | မြန်မာ - Burmese | អក្សរខ្មែរ - Cambodian (Khmer) | 中文 - Chinese | لفارسية - Farsi (Persian) | 한국어 - Korean | ພາສາລາວ - Laotian | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ - Punjabi | Русский - Russian | Af-soomaali - Somali | Español - Spanish | ትግርኛ - Tigrigna | Yкраїнський - Ukrainian | Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese
Need language assistance?
Language assistance services are available free of charge, including direct services by bilingual employees, interpreter services, and the translation of printed materials. View our Language assistance fact sheet (translated in 15 languages) to learn more about Apple Health and how to access language assistance.
More information
Sign up for email updates
Stay informed by signing up for GovDelivery updates. Select “Apple Health (Medicaid) programs and eligibility”.
Webinars
View upcoming webinars on Apple Health and unwinding from the PHE.