Medicaid Unwinding Sees Nearly 70% of Disenrollments due to Procedural Issues,Renewals Increasingly Rely on Automated Data Checks
Washington D.C. – As of August 1, 2024, a significant 69% of individuals disenrolled from Medicaid during the ongoing unwinding period were terminated for procedural reasons, according to the latest data. This figure underscores challenges in maintaining coverage for eligible individuals as states resume eligibility redeterminations following the COVID-19 pandemic’s continuous enrollment provision. The unwinding process, initiated after the public health emergency ended, is impacting millions of americans, and new data reveals trends in both disenrollments and successful coverage renewals.
The unwinding of continuous Medicaid enrollment, a temporary measure enacted during the pandemic, requires states to reassess the eligibility of all enrollees.This process is proving complex, with procedural disenrollments – those stemming from paperwork issues or administrative hurdles – accounting for the majority of coverage losses. Simultaneously, states are increasingly utilizing automated data verification, known as ex parte renewal, to streamline the redetermination process.
As of September 12, 2024, 61% of Medicaid renewals were completed on an ex parte basis, leveraging existing data sources like state wage databases to confirm ongoing eligibility. This contrasts with 39% of renewals requiring individuals to submit a renewal form. Federal guidelines prioritize ex parte renewals to minimize burdens on enrollees, but implementation varies widely. Renewal rates via ex parte processes ranged from over 90% in Arizona, North carolina, and rhode Island, to less than 20% in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Data published by the Centers for medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides a cumulative view of renewal outcomes. these figures may differ from state-reported data due to varying levels of completeness. The data reflects updated unwinding reports from states, typically available three months after initial monthly submissions.
Individuals with questions regarding the Medicaid enrollment and unwinding process can contact KFFTracker@kff.org.