Use of Unwinding-Related Strategies to Support Long-Term Improvements to State Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Processes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to protecting access to health care for individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in a manner that ensures eligible individuals maintain enrollment and protects the integrity of these programs. This Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) Informational Bulletin (CIB) is part of a series of guidance supporting states’ efforts to verify eligibility and conduct renewals in compliance with federal requirements. This CIB specifically provides states with guidance regarding the continued use of certain streamlined eligibility and enrollment strategies that CMS made available to states to address challenges brought on by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and the return to regular Medicaid and CHIP renewal operations following the end of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition under section 6008(b)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (P.L. 116-127).1 With the expiration of the continuous enrollment condition, states were required to resume renewals, including disenrolling individuals who were no longer eligible, for all individuals enrolled in their Medicaid programs. This undertaking has also commonly been referred to as the Medicaid “unwinding” process.
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: November 14, 2024
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.