“Unwinding” Medicaid: Impending End of the Public Health Emergency

On Tuesday March 2^nd, Georgetown University held a Lunch and Learn surrounding COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Implication for Medicaid Coverage for MCH Populations.

Panelists:

• Joan Alker, Executive Director and Co-Founder of University of Georgetown, University Center for Children and Families and Research Professor
• Tricia Brooks, Research Professor for the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families

Panelists cautioned that the Public Health Emergency has provided health insurance to children via Medicaid continuous coverage and CHIP may be at risk for loss of coverage. It has not been announced when the Public Health Emergency will end, but when it does, this will have a significant impact. Panelists estimate that 37.3 million children are protected by Medicaid continuous coverage via CHIP (M-CHIP). However, estimates suggest that 6.7 million children are likely to lose coverage once requirement is lifted.

Panelists urge parents who seek/undergo annual renewal process are at risk for de-enrollment, specifically in non-expansion states.

Families should be aware that they are entitled to notice before de-enrollment and can ask for reconsiderations up to 90 days without having to reapply for coverage. Parents should report updated addresses and contact information for notices. Parents can call their states toll-free hotline once notice is received.

On March 11^th, 2022, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released PHE Unwinding Communications Toolkit, State Health Official (SHO) Letter, Eligibility and Enrollment Planning Tool, and Updated Health Plan Strategy slide deck as resources for states on the upcoming Medicaid/Medicare/CHIP unwinding as they return to normal operations.

For more information visit CMS website.