Wanted to know if I’m reading this right about retroactive coverage (NYS)

So my girlfriend applied for Medicaid recently and was immediately approved at the end of October, but the insurance wouldn't kick in until December 1st. Found out the hard way it needed to be before the 15th of the month. I want to confirm if I'm understanding retroactive coverage correctly in NYS.

At the time of application we didn't need retroactive coverage. It says it begins the 1st of the month of application approval and 3 months before that. When we NEEDED reimbursement was between October 22nd and December 1st. We had no ability to use the insurance or get any other during that period because she had been approved, but was not yet covered. She had to see her doctors though, so we paid out of pocket.

Do I understand things correctly that the period between application approval and insurance kicking in is *ineligible* for retroactive reimbursement? Why does it not cover the period after which you've been approved, like, now you have Medicaid? Or does it? They're officially saying you'll get Medicaid and will cover expenses prior to approval… but not after??

What is this backwards lack of coverage after approval? Or do I have it all wrong?

Leave a Reply