Public Health Emergency

The latest US Department of Health and Human Services extension for the PHE is effective through July 15th.  

CMS published a letter on March 3rd extending the timeframe to wind down Medicaid renewals from 12 months to 14 months, but they did not extend the 60-day notice.

CMS also created a website dedicated to unwinding and returning back to regular operations.

Healthcare.gov Special Enrollment Period

CMS is extending the enrollment period through the rest of the year for those from 100% to 150% of the federal poverty level.

This is required for states who are a Federally Facilitated Marketplace through Healthcare.gov: AL, AK, AZ, FL, GA, HI, IN, KS, LA, MI, MO, MA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY, DE, IL, IA, NE, ND, OH and SD.

The extension is optional for states who are a State Based Marketplace: AR, CA, CO, CT, ID, KY, NV, NM, OR, WA, DC, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, RI or VT.

Medicaid State of the Union

Alaska

Governor Mike Dunleavy prepared an executive order that will separate the current health department into two divisions. The Department of Health division will manage public health, behavioral health, healthcare services and senior and disability services. The Department of Family and Community Service will include juvenile justice, children services and several other sub-departments.

This change will become law and take effect July 1st.

California

Beginning May 1st, the state started providing full Medi-Cal benefits to all applicants over 50 who would normally only receive restricted benefits due to their immigration status.

On July 1st, the asset limits for non-MAGI Medi-Cal will be changing. These limits will increase from $2,000 to $130,000 for an individual. The limit is$65,000 for each additional household member, for a maximum of 10 people.

CMS sent a letter to the state approving their request for the 1115 waiver titled California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). The waiver is designed to assist with whole person care that includes vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, those with behavioral health challenges and children with complex medical conditions.

Kansas

On April 20th, Kansas extended postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months.

Missouri

Although CMS opposes work requirements to be eligible for Medicaid, the state has developed a bill that would put Medicaid work requirements on the ballot for voters to decide in the November election. If approved, it would still need final approval by CMS via the 1115 waiver.

North Carolina

Effective April 1st, the state extended postpartum coverage from two months to a full year.

Utah

The state is in the process of merging two departments by July 1st. The Utah Department of Health and the Utah Department of Human Services will realign to become the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

Virginia

The state plans to use text messaging to connect with enrollees to assist with the end of the PHE, however they are required to get opt in consent from enrollees before the state can send these text messages. Currently only 30,000 Medicaid enrollees, out of more than one million, have opted in for text messaging.