Medicaid Redetermination and Renewal Experiences of Limited English Proficient Beneficiaries in Illinois

Medicaid beneficiaries in most states must go through a redetermination process every 6-12 months to demonstrate continued eligibility. This study sought to examine Medicaid redetermination experiences among beneficiaries with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). A sequential mixed methods study was conducted involving quantitative phone surveys and semi-structured, in-person interviews with Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese speaking beneficiaries in Illinois. Survey respondents experienced notable barriers during the redetermination process. Quantitative data showed LEP respondents to have 5.3 times the odds of losing their Medicaid benefits as compared to English proficient respondents. Qualitative interviews illustrated the impact of Medicaid loss on individuals and families, as well as strategies for successfully navigating redetermination. Findings suggest that language barriers hinder Medicaid redetermination and play a role in cancellation of benefits. Recommendations for better language supports during the Medicaid redetermination process are discussed.