EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
MEDICAID DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
• Signed into law March 18, 2020, the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) created a “continuous coverage requirement” that has prevented states from ending or reducing the scope of coverage for most Medicaid recipients for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
• During this period, states saw a 23.4% increase in Medicaid/CHIP enrollment over all in the last 25 months, with 16.7 million new enrollees. Adult enrollment grew 32.3%, with 11.1 million enrollees.
UNWINDING THE PHE
• The PHE could end in the first or second quarter of 2023. If it ends first quarter, states will begin the process of renewing member eligibility February 1, 2023. If it ends next quarter, states will begin the process of renewing member eligibility May. 1, 2023.
• Medicaid enrollees can expect requests for verification starting up to 60 days prior to the end of the PHE.
• Additionally, many enrollees will begin to be subject to small copays or premiums as part of Medicaid coverage. Estimates for loss of Medicaid coverage are up to 14.2 million when the PHE ends and the MOE provisions expire.
• Rules and transition processes will vary by state.