Ohio Implemented Next Generation MyCare Program
Dually eligible Ohioans can now coordinate Medicare and Medicaid benefits through a single managed care plan.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Eldercare
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The State of Ohio expanded the Next Generation MyCare program statewide on Aug. 1, 2026, to streamline benefits for residents with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The state has auto-assigned eligible individuals into plans managed by four contracted providers to improve claim coordination.
Why it matters
By integrating Medicare and Medicaid claims into a single plan, this program aims to simplify household logistics and care coordination for dually eligible residents. The transition reduces administrative hurdles by unifying service delivery under one managed care entity.
The state has contracted with four providers—Anthem, Buckeye, CareSource, and Molina—to manage benefits. Residents have a 60-day window to change their assigned plan following their notification letter.
The players
Ohio Department of Medicaid
The state agency responsible for overseeing health coverage programs and managing the rollout of the Next Generation MyCare initiative.
Anthem
One of four health insurance providers awarded state contracts to manage Medicaid plans under the new program.
CareSource
A managed care organization participating in the state's initiative to streamline Medicare and Medicaid claims for Ohio families.
The details
The program uses current provider contract data to auto-assign individuals, with notifications sent directly by the Ohio Department of Medicaid. While Medicaid benefits are consolidated, residents must still manually enroll in separate Medicare plans. The system is designed to allow these two funding streams to be processed through a single coordination point for more efficient care management.
Timeline
Aug. 1, 2026: Next Generation MyCare became statewide.
Sept. 1, 2026: First round of auto-assigned individuals transitioned.
Oct. 1, 2026: Second round of auto-assigned individuals transitioned.
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026: Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
The Home Front
This program marks a shift toward unified care management for Ohio households navigating complex insurance eligibility. It follows federal efforts to better integrate Medicare and Medicaid benefits to lower administrative costs for state-funded programs.
Review your notification letter from the state to verify your assigned plan and confirm whether your current healthcare providers are included. Ensure that you manually manage your separate Medicare enrollment before the Dec. 7 deadline.
The takeaway
The transition to Next Generation MyCare aims to simplify benefits by consolidating Medicare and Medicaid claims management. Households should keep their notification letters on file and note the 60-day plan change window to ensure their care providers remain in-network.
What happens next
Residents should monitor their mail for official notices from the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Those needing assistance or wishing to change their assigned plan should prepare to contact the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 800-324-8680 within their 60-day window.
Further reading
Find more guidance on managing senior health benefits in our Eldercare section.
More information
For more information on your plan assignment, visit the Ohio Medicaid consumer information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jenkins Care Community.
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