Published February 23, 2023
Federal Update
Medicaid Unwinding
As the COVID Public Health Emergency (PHE) nears its end, critical provisions providing continuous Medicaid coverage protection that supported babies, toddlers, and their families during the pandemic will end on March 31. Before COVID, a child’s eligibility for Medicaid was reviewed each year. COVID response legislation halted those redeterminations, keeping children and families covered without a break. Now states will go back to annual redetermination, “unwinding” the continuous coverage by working through the cases enrolled for more than a year. This massive process likely could result in up to 6.7 million children losing coverage largely because of administrative issues as basic as not having a current address on file--even though 72% of these children will remain eligible. While states are moving forward on different timelines, redeterminations will begin in some states on April 1, with all states checking eligibility for the 83.5 million people across the nation enrolled in Medicaid by May 2024.
For 54% of children in the United States, Medicaid coverage and the access to primary care it provides is a lifeline. Pediatricians and family medicine providers are on the frontline of monitoring development and well-being and connecting families with resources as needed. Infants and toddlers have the most at stake if they lose coverage because they need more frequent checkups. Without coverage, families may be hesitant or unable to seek the care babies and children need. The potential sharp rise in the rate of uninsured children could result in babies missing out on critical care, vaccines, and screenings.
We need to help young children stay covered. State and local administrators, advocates, and practitioners have important roles in ensuring that families have the information they need to keep their children enrolled. Learn how your state is preparing to unwind. If you are working at the state or community level, use these tips and best practices to ensure a smooth transition for children and families. Practitioners working with families can share these materials to ensure that families receive the information they need and can participate in the process.
A brief summary about Medicaid unwinding and the Medicaid Expansion can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions and other information about Medicaid Annual Renewals can be found here.
Update your information to receive important updates about your Medicaid Eligibility here.
Taken from Zero to Three Policy & Advocacy News
Federal Update
Medicaid Unwinding
As the COVID Public Health Emergency (PHE) nears its end, critical provisions providing continuous Medicaid coverage protection that supported babies, toddlers, and their families during the pandemic will end on March 31. Before COVID, a child’s eligibility for Medicaid was reviewed each year. COVID response legislation halted those redeterminations, keeping children and families covered without a break. Now states will go back to annual redetermination, “unwinding” the continuous coverage by working through the cases enrolled for more than a year. This massive process likely could result in up to 6.7 million children losing coverage largely because of administrative issues as basic as not having a current address on file--even though 72% of these children will remain eligible. While states are moving forward on different timelines, redeterminations will begin in some states on April 1, with all states checking eligibility for the 83.5 million people across the nation enrolled in Medicaid by May 2024.
For 54% of children in the United States, Medicaid coverage and the access to primary care it provides is a lifeline. Pediatricians and family medicine providers are on the frontline of monitoring development and well-being and connecting families with resources as needed. Infants and toddlers have the most at stake if they lose coverage because they need more frequent checkups. Without coverage, families may be hesitant or unable to seek the care babies and children need. The potential sharp rise in the rate of uninsured children could result in babies missing out on critical care, vaccines, and screenings.
We need to help young children stay covered. State and local administrators, advocates, and practitioners have important roles in ensuring that families have the information they need to keep their children enrolled. Learn how your state is preparing to unwind. If you are working at the state or community level, use these tips and best practices to ensure a smooth transition for children and families. Practitioners working with families can share these materials to ensure that families receive the information they need and can participate in the process.
A brief summary about Medicaid unwinding and the Medicaid Expansion can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions and other information about Medicaid Annual Renewals can be found here.
Update your information to receive important updates about your Medicaid Eligibility here.
Taken from Zero to Three Policy & Advocacy News