Issue Briefs | Apr 1, 2022

The American Rescue Plan Act’s State Option to Extend Postpartum Coverage

Kinda Serafi, Kaylee O’Connor and Patricia Boozang, Manatt Health

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) establishes a new state option to extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for pregnant women for one year following the baby’s birth. Under current law, Medicaid and CHIP pregnant women’s coverage extends only through 60 days postpartum. ARP’s new state option to extend continuous coverage for one-year postpartum enables states to take a major step towards improving health outcomes for postpartum women and their babies by mitigating coverage loss, providing comprehensive coverage in the postpartum period to address maternal mortality and morbidity, and advancing health equity. This issue brief reviews the policy and operational considerations for states of the new option to extend postpartum coverage. The issue brief has been updated as of April 1, 2022 to include reference to additional guidance released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on December 7, 2021.


Expert Perspectives

November 22, 2024

Information Sharing Considerations for Implementing the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s Requirements for Justice-Involved Children and Youth

This expert perspective reviews the information sharing considerations for states in implementing the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s (CAA) requirements to provide targeted case management and screening and diagnostic services for children and youth who are incarcerated and enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. The expert perspective highlights key areas of CAA implementation that require information sharing, which states will need to consider as they work towards coming into full compliance.

November 15, 2024

CMS Releases Guidance on Optional Long-Term Use of Unwinding-Related Section 1902(e)(14) Waivers

On November 14, 2024, CMS released its second installment in its series of Medicaid and CHIP guidance intended to support state efforts to verify eligibility and conduct renewals in compliance with federal Medicaid and CHIP requirements. A new expert perspective summarizes the latest CMCS Informational Bulletin and accompanying slide deck which address the continued use of unwinding-related section 1902(e)(14) waivers beyond the previously established expiration date of June 30, 2025.