Updates

Oct 6, 2023 

New CMS Guidance: 12 Months of Continuous Enrollment for Children Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP Beginning January 1, 2024

This expert perspective summarizes CMS’ recently released State Health Official letter providing guidance on the requirement in Section 5112 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) that all states must adopt 12-months of continuous enrollment (CE) for children effective January 1, 2024. Key topics addressed in the guidance include the specific eligibility groups subject to CE under the CAA, the limited exceptions under which CE may be discontinued prior to 12 months, the impact of CE on children in carceral settings, and implementation requirements for states.

Oct 6, 2023 

CMS Releases Third Batch of State-Reported Unwinding Data, With New Data on CHIP and Transitions to Marketplace Coverage

On September 29, the Centers and Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) published a new release of state-reported Medicaid unwinding data through its Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after COVID-19 landing page. Like previous releases of data, CMS includes national and state-specific metrics pertaining to Medicaid and CHIP eligibility renewal outcomes and total enrollment in June (and preliminary data for July). This month, as part of its timeline of planned data releases, CMS newly shared more comprehensive data on Marketplace enrollment and transitions—including cumulative enrollment data between April and June for HealthCare.gov, State-Based Marketplaces, and the Basic Health Programs—and separate CHIP enrollment in April 2023.

Sep 26, 2023 

CMS Finalizes Medicaid Rule to Streamline Enrollment Into Medicare Savings Programs

This expert perspective provides a high-level overview of key provisions included in the “Streamlining Medicaid; Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Determination and Enrollment” final rule that will facilitate enrollment and retention of Medicare Savings Program (MSP) coverage. MSPs are state-run programs that help low-income Medicare enrollees pay their Medicare premiums and/or cost-sharing. While the final rule’s effective date is November 17, 2023, CMS delayed compliance dates for most provisions until April 1, 2026, to reflect states’ competing priorities in light of the “unwinding” of the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement.

Sep 26, 2023 

Government Shutdown Implications for Health Programs and Personnel

As congressional negotiations continue to stall on fiscal year 2024 appropriations, federal agencies are deep into contingency planning for a potential government shutdown beginning October 1. Decisions are still being made about which federal activities and personnel are considered essential. This expert perspective describes the plans currently available from the Department of Health and Human Services and the implications for health programs and personnel.