A message from Dr. Larke Huang, Director of SAMHSA’s Office of Behavioral Health Equity
Spread the Word!
There are big changes coming to Medicaid coverage over the next year. If you are a provider, please convey this information of the “unwinding” of Medicaid continuous coverage to your clients and colleagues. If you are a person with Medicaid coverage, spread this information to peers, family, and acquaintances.
Losing Medicaid Coverage
You may be at risk of losing health care coverage through Medicaid over the next year. Flexibilities during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency allowed states to use a continuous enrollment condition. This enabled families and their children to retain their coverage under Medicaid without an eligibility assessment. This flexibility will be terminated this year.
About 84 million people are covered by Medicaid, which grew by 20 million people since January 2020. However, as states begin checking everyone’s eligibility for the first time in three years, as many as 14 million people could lose access to that health care.
What You Can Do
States will mail a Medicaid renewal form to your home. The federal government also requires states to contact you in another way — by phone, text message, or email — to remind you to fill out the form. This is critical. Many people during this “unwinding” of the continuous coverage period may still qualify for Medicaid but may lose it because they’ve left no contact information with their state Medicaid office!
Expiration of the Continuous Enrollment Condition and Unwinding Timeline
Upon conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the new March 31, 2023 statutory end date of the continuous enrollment condition means that states could begin their 12-month unwinding period and initiate the first Medicaid renewals that may result in disenrollment as early as February 1, 2023. As explained in the State Health Officers Letter #22-001, states should begin renewals in the month before and the month in which the continuous enrollment condition ends.
Of Most Importance in Renewing Medicaid Coverage
A simple omission may disrupt your Medicaid coverage. Even if you are eligible for Medicaid, if the Medicaid office does not have your contact information, they will have no way to reach you. Providing your contact information is most critical. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
More information and resources below.
- “Millions who rely on Medicaid may be booted from the program” ABC News article
- Medicaid webpage on information related to “unwinding” after COVID-19
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Informational Bulletin with key dates related to Medicaid continuous enrollment condition
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