Many Unaware They Soon May Be Disenrolled from Medicaid
A rude awakening may be forthcoming for many who are unaware what lies ahead. Because states received enhanced federal funding for Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans were afforded continuous enrollment in the program — a truly necessary option at the time. However, continuous enrollment ended on March 31, so states during the coming months will redetermine eligibility for Medicaid recipients and will disenroll those no longer eligible or who are unable to complete the renewal process.
This change may come as a shock to many current Medicaid enrollees, as a recent KFF study found that about 65% of current enrollees said they are “not sure” if states are now allowed to remove people from Medicaid if they no longer qualify or don’t complete the renewal process, and 7% incorrectly said that states will not be allowed to do this. Only about 28% were aware that states have the ability to now remove enrollees form Medicaid.
Another factor complicating the enrollment for some, according to the KFF study, is that about a third of Medicaid recipients surveyed said they have not provided updated contact information to their state Medicaid agency in the past year, which is vital in ensuring that they receive renewal notices from the state. Older adults (over 65) are more likely than younger age groups to fail to provide updated contact information with their state.
Of the Medicaid enrollees surveyed, about 35% said they had a change in income or other change that could make them ineligible for Medicaid, or they are unsure if they have had such a change. “If these types of changes occurred while Medicaid coverage was protected, individuals may no longer qualify when the state redetermines their eligibility in the coming months,” the survey added.
Of special concern, KFF noted, was that about 40% of respondents said that if they were told they were no long eligible for Medicaid, they wouldn’t know where to look for other coverage or would be uninsured. “Engaging key stakeholders, including Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicaid providers and community-based organizations, in providing outreach to Medicaid enrollees, including targeted outreach to older adults, can raise awareness about the need to complete the renewal process,” the survey concluded. “In addition, connecting people on Medicaid with … organizations who can assist them with the renewal process can help increase the number of people who complete their renewals and retain coverage if they remain eligible or know where to look for and enroll in other coverage if they are determined to no longer be eligible.”
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