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The first required renewal for Medicaid is 12 months from the most recent certification month, except for cases with a deductible. For cases that met the deductible, the renewal date is six months from the start of the deductible period. A renewal is not scheduled for an unmet deductible unless another health care program is due for renewal. An early renewal can only be completed at the member’s request. A child within their continuous coverage period (see SECTION 1.2 CONTINUOUS COVERAGE FOR QUALIFYING CHILDREN) may be adversely impacted by an early renewal (for example, they could be ineligible, or have a new or higher premium). However, the child will not lose coverage or be charged a new or higher premium during their current continuous coverage period. Other household members may be renewed early and may qualify for new 12-month certification periods. 3.1.1 Timely Renewals Health care renewals received by the last business day of the renewal month are considered timely. When a renewal is received timely, the member’s existing health care coverage must be maintained until the renewal is fully processed by the agency. This includes situations where the member no longer meets the requirements of their current health care category and the agency needs to request additional information to determine if the member is eligible for a different form of health care. Example 1 Marta is enrolled in MAPP. July is the last month of her certification period. On July 18, a notice is sent to inform Marta that her coverage will end July 31 because she did not yet complete her renewal. Marta's renewal is submitted on July 31 during business hours. Marta’s MAPP coverage is reinstated for the month of August, and she is sent a notice that she is enrolled in MAPP effective August 1 and will remain enrolled while the agency processes her renewal. On August 19, the renewal process is completed, and Marta is no longer eligible for any category of health care. Marta receives a notice that her MAPP coverage will end September 30, in accordance with notice requirements. For QMB renewals, benefits reopen from the first of the month following when coverage ends if the eligibility redetermination is fully completed during the renewal month or the month following the renewal month. See SECTION 32.10.1 QMB RENEWALS. Example 2 Diana is open for SSI-Related Medicaid and QMB which is due for renewal in February. She submits her renewal on February 20. Because her renewal is timely, her benefits are maintained for March. On February 22, the worker processes the renewal and requests needed verification with a due date of March 14. On March 14, verifications are received for the renewal and eligibility is determined. Diana is enrolled in a new certification period starting April 1. There is no gap in her MS or QMB enrollment. For Katie Beckett Medicaid renewals, see SECTION 29.2 KATIE BECKETT MEDICAID RENEWALS. 3.1.2 Late Renewals Health care renewals received within three months of the renewal month can be processed as a late renewal instead of requiring a new application. There is no requirement for prior health care benefits to be maintained for a late renewal. The three-month period that allows for late renewals and renewal- related verifications starts the month after enrollment ended. It does not restart when a late renewal or when late verification has been submitted. Exceptions: Late renewal policies do not apply to SeniorCare. This policy applies to members receiving health care benefits based on a met deductible but not to members with an unmet deductible.