Knowing you may get the care you would like without worrying how one can pay for it can be crucial for peace of mind, especially during times of uncertainty.
During the COVID-19 pandemic many Americans were protected against losing their medical insurance by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). But now that the declared public health emergency has ended, Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) eligibility requirements are changing. These changes have hundreds of thousands of Medicaid (Medical Assistance) recipients wondering about next steps and coverage impacts.
We’ll explain the unwinding of the FFCRA’s Medicaid (Medical Assistance) continuous coverage requirement, changes to eligibility requirements and what that would mean for your medical insurance coverage.
Medicaid (Medical Assistance) expansion during the COVID-19 public health emergency
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the FFCRA let states change their Medicaid (Medical Assistance) enrollment requirements to assist people keep their medical insurance. These expansions offered a security net for individuals who lost their jobs and/or their medical insurance during the pandemic.
As Medicaid (Medical Assistance) became more accessible, enrollment across the U.S. boomed by nearly 30%, contributing to record-low uninsured rates. Once enrolled in Medical Assistance, the FFCRA protected people from losing medical insurance. To get more federal funding, the FFCRA required state Medicaid (Medical Assistance) programs to maintain members enrolled until the COVID-19 public health emergency ended. These protections are commonly known as the Medicaid (Medical Assistance) continuous coverage requirement.
But at the end of 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which separated the continuous coverage requirement from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Congress agreed to end continuous coverage on March 31, 2023 – setting the stage for big Medicaid (Medical Assistance) changes.
How and when will these changes impact Medical Assistance recipients
On April 1, 2023, states could begin disenrolling people who find themselves now not eligible for Medicaid (Medical Assistance). But Congress has provided funds to ease this transition through December 2023. Eligibility, renewal systems, staffing capability and preparation vary across states and may impact when medical insurance may end.
States are providing outreach, education and enrollment assistance to make sure those that remain eligible for Medicaid (Medical Assistance) are in a position to keep their medical insurance. They’re also helping those that are not any longer eligible switch to other medical insurance. Watch for communications out of your state Medicaid (Medical Assistance) program for the best details about your medical insurance and what to do next.
What will occur to Medicaid (Medical Assistance)?
Medicaid (Medical Assistance) isn’t going anywhere, but you’ll need to satisfy certain eligibility requirements to renew your medical insurance moving forward. Eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined by many aspects including age, income, family size and should you’re pregnant or have a disability. And you could show you’re still eligible regularly. But these requirements can vary depending on the state that you just live in. Check along with your state’s local Medical Assistance office to see should you are eligible for advantages.