What is Medicaid Unwinding?
Medicaid Unwinding refers to the process of adjusting or ending the temporary changes made to Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was enacted, requiring Medicaid programs to keep people continuously enrolled until the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended. This made it easier for people to stay on Medicaid, even if they no longer met the usual eligibility requirements.
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The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 decoupled the continuous coverage requirement from the PHE, setting an end date of April 1, 2023. This marked the beginning of the Medicaid unwinding process, where states could start reviewing Medicaid eligibility again.
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On May 9, 2023, the Centers for Medicaid & CHIP Services (CMCS) released an update extending certain unwinding-related flexibilities. Originally set to end in December 2024, these flexibilities are now extended through June 30, 2025.
Why It Matters
This is important because if someone no longer meets the eligibility requirements or fails to respond to the renewal process, they may be disenrolled from Medicaid.
It’s crucial for Medicaid recipients to stay informed, update their contact information, and respond promptly to any state notices to ensure they maintain health coverage or explore other options if they’re no longer eligible.