Most recently, the Public Health Emergency (PHE) was extended on October 13th to January 11, 2023. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide a 60-day notice before the PHE ends if it intends to change any rules. Seeing that no changes were announced by the November 11th deadline, health centers can expect the PHE to extend beyond January 2023. Although no formal statement has been released by HHS, providers and stakeholders will most likely have to prepare for a new April deadline if HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra declares another PHE extension.
The PHE has implemented vital waivers and policies to expand Medicaid coverage and telehealth coverage. HHS predicts that once the PHE for COVID-19 has been terminated, approximately 15 million Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees will lose eligibility. At this time, states are preparing for the Medicaid unwinding process by improving staffing capacity along with eligibility redeterminations and renewal systems. State strategies will have different approaches, but should focus around helping individuals that lose Medicaid eligibility acquire other coverage and reducing administrative “churning” (when Medicaid/CHIP enrollees who are disenrolled and then re-enrolled within a short time period).
Keep up-to-date with the latest developments by joining our network as an advocate and watch for an upcoming guidance, action alerts, and more in the near future. Please contact us with any questions or if we can be of assistance in your own advocacy.
