Feds ask states to slow Medicaid enrollment cuts following three-year COVID pause

Too many Americans are losing Medicaid coverage because of red tape, and states should do more to make sure eligible people keep their health insurance, the Biden administration said Monday (Source: “Biden Admin Implores States to Slow Medicaid Cuts After More Than 1M Enrollees Dropped,” Kaiser Health News, June 13).

More than a million Americans have lost coverage in the past several weeks, following the end of pandemic protections on April 1, according to the latest Medicaid renewal data from more than 20 states.

After a three-year pause, most states have now resumed checking which Medicaid recipients remain eligible and dropping those who no longer qualify or don’t complete required paperwork. About 4 in 5 people dropped so far either never returned the paperwork or omitted required documents, federal and state data show.

The Biden administration outlined several optional steps states can take to ensure everyone who still qualifies for the safety-net health insurance program stays covered. For instance, states can pause the cancellations to allow more time to reach people who haven’t responded. Health insurance companies that manage Medicaid plans can help their enrollees fill out the paperwork.

Last month, HPIO released the tenth edition of Ohio Medicaid Basics, a primer that provides an overview of the Medicaid program in Ohio. The 2023 edition details recent changes to Ohio Medicaid, including continuous coverage and redetermination. HPIO is hosting a webinar on Ohio Medicaid Basics on June 29, from 1 p.m. - 2p.m. For more information and to register, visit HPIO's website.