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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to ensuring access to comprehensive health care coverage by 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. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has committed that it will provide states with 60 days of notice before any planned expiration or termination of the PHE to give states as much lead time as possible. In line with that commitment, CMS will be communicating early and often with states and other partners, such as agents and brokers, to support planning and coordination of this process, known as unwinding. This communication is a part of that ongoing outreach.
KEY RESOURCES
CMS has created a new Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations Resource website with tools and resources.
- On this site, you can find the new Communications Toolkit and graphics to help agents and brokers begin reaching out to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees so that they are prepared for upcoming Medicaid and CHIP redeterminations, 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, CMS provided states with additional guidance and tools as they plan for whenever the COVID-19 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, such as Marketplace coverage for eligible individuals.
WHAT AGENTS AND BROKERS CAN DO NOW
Right now, agents and brokers can help prepare for the renewal process by educating people with Medicaid and CHIP coverage about the upcoming changes. Individuals with Medicaid & CHIP coverage should:
- Update their contact information with their State Medicaid or CHIP program; and
- Look out for a letter from their state about completing a renewal form.
KEY MESSAGES FOR AGENTS AND BROKERS TO SHARE
There are three main messages that agents and brokers should focus on now when communicating with individuals that are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
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Update your contact information – Make sure the 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.
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Check your mail – The 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.
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Complete your renewal form (if you get one) – Fill out the form and return it to the state Medicaid or CHIP program right away to help avoid a gap in your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
Sample social media posts, graphics, and drop-in articles that focus on these key messages can be found in the Communications Toolkit. The Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations Resource website will continue to be updated as new resources and tools are released.
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