CMS proposes rule change to simplify Medicaid, CHIP enrollment

A proposed federal rule change was introduced last week that aims to make the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid enrollment easier (Source: “Proposed CMS rule would streamline Medicaid, CHIP enrollment,” Healthcare Dive, Sept. 1).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Aug. 31 issued a proposed rule with the goal of reducing coverage gaps by streamlining the application and renewal process for Medicaid enrollees and other programs such as CHIP by limiting renewals to once a year, establishing standardized statewide renewal processes and giving applicants 30 days to respond to information requests.

The proposed rule comes as states begin to notify Medicaid beneficiaries about potential losses of coverage due to the impending end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Earlier this year, HPIO released an Ohio Medicaid Basics update, Trends in Enrollment and Expenditures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, that provides information on enrollment and spending changes to the Ohio Medicaid program during the pandemic.