Advocates outline recommendations to prepare for end of public health emergency, protect residents’ healthcare

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2022

Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
517-775-9053

Advocates outline recommendations to prepare for end of public health emergency, protect residents’ healthcare

Federal public health emergency has staved off Medicaid disenrollment, funded continuous coverage, but expected to end in October

LANSING—While the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) is now expected to last until this fall, health coverage for millions of people—including here in Michigan—could be in jeopardy when the PHE ends and states resume their regular eligibility reviews of all Medicaid enrollees. But massive coverage losses aren’t inevitable, and the Michigan League for Public Policy and the national Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) are working to help address this.

“The anticipated extension of the public health emergency until this fall is not only a relief–it is an opportunity,” said Monique Stanton, President and CEO for the Michigan League for Public Policy. “We know Michigan officials are working hard to prepare for the PHE transition and protect coverage for millions of Michiganders, and these are concrete steps that can be taken to assist with that effort.”

In concert with national, state and community partners, the League has been working in Michigan to help raise concerns and protect health coverage for state residents when the PHE expires. The League has produced a set of policy recommendations as the state prepares to resume annual Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewals following the expiration of the PHE. The League’s recommendations are intended to support an “unwinding” process that minimizes administrative-related coverage losses, facilitates effective transitions to alternative forms of coverage should Medicaid ineligibility be established after review, and improves the efficiency of renewal procedures in the long-term.

The League’s recommendations for policymakers and administrative officials related to the PHE transition include:

• Planning for a 12-month unwinding period to process renewals after the PHE ends;

• Considering a process for engaging local partners and stakeholders interested in helping to shape Michigan’s unwinding plan;

• Sharing the state’s official plan for resuming routine Medicaid/CHIP renewal operations;

• Partnering with Medicaid managed care organizations and community-based organizations to ensure effective communication with enrollees;

• Increasing the percentage of Medicaid/CHIP renewals completed ex parte;

• Continuing to allow Medicaid/CHIP enrollees to renew online, in-person, or by phone;

• Investing in current and new staff to assist enrollees with the renewal process;

• Making state call center statistics publicly available;

• Stratifying disenrollment data by “Ineligibility Established” and “Eligibility Could Not be Established”; and

• Expanding follow-up methods for harder-to-reach enrollees.

“With at least five more months before the end of the PHE, agencies have time to get it right,” said Jennifer Wagner, Director of Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Governors and Medicaid agencies have a list of proven strategies available, and should be held accountable for implementing whatever is necessary to make sure eligible people stay covered.”

CBPP hosted a press briefing earlier today to highlight the actions states can take to ensure eligible individuals remain on Medicaid and help those no longer eligible for Medicaid transition to other coverage. The briefing featured CBPP health experts Jennifer Wagner, Director of Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment, Farah Erzouki, Senior Policy Analyst, and Sarah Lueck, Vice President for Health Policy. Today’s speakers also discussed steps Congress can take to help protect people from becoming uninsured when the federal government ends the PHE. CBPP has also released a report, Time to Get It Right: State Actions Now Can Preserve Medicaid Coverage When Public Health Emergency Ends, outlining its recommendations for the PHE unwinding that were discussed today.

BACKGROUND

The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted March 18, 2020, provided that state Medicaid programs would receive an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage throughout the PHE if four maintenance of effort provisions were met. Among these was a provision that required states to provide continuous coverage to all Medicaid/CHIP enrollees for the duration of the PHE. With the PHE expected to expire this fall, and along with it its associated enhanced federal support, state Medicaid agencies across the country are tasked with developing an approach to unwinding the continuous coverage requirement in their state and redetermining eligibility for all Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries.

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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to advance economic security, racial equity, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.