Based on current trends regarding COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), as declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, to end on May 11, 2023.
On March 17, 2023, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families January Contreras issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) that summarizes the affected ACF programs and provides resources and materials that will aid in your program administration. It also includes information and resources regarding several ACF program flexibilities that Congress decoupled from the PHE in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA, 2023).
As explained in recent CMS guidance, states will have up to 12 months to initiate, and 14 months to complete, a renewal for all individuals enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, and the Basic Health Program. States may begin their 12-month unwinding period starting on February 1, 2023 but may not begin Medicaid enrollment terminations until April 1, 2023. CMS has created many tools for community partners to inform those we collectively serve about the coming changes.
