What You Need to Know to Prepare for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (From NAHC)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing partners with guidance and resources as they plan for the eventual end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and the Medicaid continuous coverage condition established under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. In line with that commitment, CMS will be communicating early and often with states and other partners to support planning and coordination of this unwinding process.

KEY RESOURES

CMS has created a new Unwinding homepage with additional tools and resources.

  • On this page, you can find the new Communications Toolkit and graphics to help partners begin reaching out to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees so that they are prepared for the upcoming renewal, along with several other unwinding resources.
  • The toolkit and graphics are available in both English and Spanish.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

On March 3, 2022, the CMS provided states with additional guidance and tools as they plan for whenever the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) does conclude. When the PHE does eventually end, states will be required, over time, to redetermine eligibility for all people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. The recently released guidance will help states keep consumers connected to coverage by either renewing individuals’ Medicaid or CHIP eligibility or transferring them to other health insurance options.

WHAT PARTNERS CAN DO NOW

Right now, partners can help prepare for the renewal process by educating people with Medicaid and CHIP coverage about the upcoming changes. People with Medicaid & CHIP coverage should:

  1. Update their contact information with their State Medicaid or CHIP program; and
  2. Look out for a letter from their state about completing a renewal form.

Key Messages for Partners to Share

There are three main messages that partners should focus on now when communicating with people that are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.

  1. Update your contact information – Make sure [Name of State Medicaid or CHIP program] has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
  2. Check your mail – [Name of State Medicaid or CHIP program] will mail you a letter about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage. This letter will also let you know if you need to complete a renewal form to see if you still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
  3. Complete your renewal form (if you get one) – Fill out the form and return it to [Name of State Medicaid or CHIP program] right away to help avoid a gap in your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.