At Pediatric Associates, we are dedicated to taking care of all children in our area and pride ourselves in accepting all insurance products.  I recently learned that even our local safety-net hospital does not accept one of the managed Medicaid products that we take due to low reimbursement for services.  However, many families that I talk to are unaware of upcoming changes to Medicaid eligibility.  Beginning October 1, new citizenship eligibility requirements will require families to prove their legal citizenship status in order to qualify for the program.  Additional changes starting January 1, 2027 include re-enrollment applications every 6 months rather than once a year and work requirements for non-pregnant adults 19-64 without disabilities, children under 13, or caregiver duties.  Because families move frequently and mail is not always reliable, it is very common for children to present to our office for care and find that their Medicaid eligibility has lapsed when we check their insurance.  Currently when this happens, there is a 90 day period for families to get re-enrolled and have services covered.  Along with the upcoming changes, this period to gather necessary documentation, reapply, and have their application processed is being shortened to 30 days.  We are very concerned about how this will keep children from getting the care they need.  We are urging families who currently rely on Medicaid for their insurance to be proactive about updating their address, set reminders on their calendar about upcoming renewal dates every 6 months, and talk to us if they have concerns about their child’s coverage.