Helping Your Patients Preserve Access to Health Care Coverage During Medicaid “Unwinding”
By: Fadi Bsat, MD, Chair, SMFM Practice Management Committee
Medicaid has consistently served as a vital healthcare coverage resource for millions who would otherwise lack insurance, including more than 40 percent of pregnant Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the critical importance of Medicaid in ensuring comprehensive insurance protection for individuals in need.
To protect the public’s health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily waived certain Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements and conditions in early 2020. The easing of these rules helped prevent people with Medicaid and CHIP from losing their health coverage during the pandemic.
With the end of the federal public health emergency, States are now required to restart Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews for current enrollees, a process called “unwinding.” Up to 24 million people could lose their current Medicaid or CHIP coverage if they fail to complete the necessary steps to verify their eligibility and renew.
CMS is working with States and other stakeholders to inform people about renewing their coverage and exploring other available health insurance options if they no longer qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
As physicians treating high-risk pregnant patients, we have the opportunity to help ensure our patients maintain access to health insurance coverage during this unwinding period. Below you will find a list of resources to assist with outreach efforts to help patients keep their coverage.
Anticipated State Timelines for Initiating Unwinding-Related Renewals: This chart details the expected first month for each State/territory's unwinding-related renewals, as well as the anticipated effective date for the first procedural terminations.
Unwinding Homepage: The centralized location where States and stakeholders can learn more about unwinding and access resources to help them plan and prepare.
Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiary Resource Page: A webpage designed for people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP to help them prepare to renew their coverage when States restart eligibility renewals.
Unwinding Communications Toolkit (English and Spanish): The toolkit includes key messages and materials for States and stakeholders to use when communicating with their networks. Toolkits are also available in Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Medicaid Unwinding Toolkit Supporting Materials: This folder contains outreach materials for partners, including flyers, postcards, tear pads, conference cards, and the new Tip Sheet featured in the toolkit.
Unwinding Speaking Request Form: Submit a request to have someone from HHS or CMS speak about Unwinding at an upcoming event.
For more information, visit the CMS website.