State updates as of September 29, 2023.

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.

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.

State updates as of September 22, 2023.

As states are working diligently to operationalize the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement, State Health and Value Strategies has been tracking the creative strategies states are implementing to minimize coverage losses. This expert perspective highlights all the hard work states are engaged in and spotlights innovative strategies other states may want to consider adopting. SHVS will continue to track and share state efforts to support coverage through the unwinding period. If your state is implementing a new effort to reach enrollees, or if you have questions about how you can implement an example included in this EP, please be in touch.

States are traditionally laboratories for policy innovation and the 2023 legislative session was no exception. The expansion of health coverage was a major priority for states, particularly for low-income populations, children, postpartum individuals and individuals of undocumented status. As the high cost of care continued to be a major barrier for consumers, states bolstered their efforts to enhance healthcare affordability. States also used the 2023 legislative session as an opportunity to study system innovations to expand health coverage and affordability. This expert perspective explores these trends in state healthcare policy reflected in innovative legislation enacted this year.

State updates as of September 15, 2023.

State updates as of September 8, 2023.

On August 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) instructing states to assess whether they are in compliance with federal Medicaid regulations that require all renewal processes be conducted at the individual level. This expert perspective reviews the Federal Financial Participation match available to states as they work to come into compliance with the requirements of the SMDL.

On August 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) instructing states to assess whether they are in compliance with federal Medicaid regulations that require all renewal processes be conducted at the individual level. This expert perspective summarizes the SMDL, which lays out immediate actions that states must take to determine if they are out of compliance with the federal renewal requirements and mitigate compliance issues. In addition to its SMDL, CMS released a Mitigation Plan Template that states may, but are not required to, use to communicate required information regarding their compliance assessments and proposed strategies for mitigation. States must submit the required information to CMS using the template or another format via email (CMSUnwindingSupport@cms.hhs.gov) no later than September 13, 2023.