Communicating about the Medicaid/CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding in Rural Areas

The COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency (PHE) expired on May 11, 2023. During the PHE, states had the option to maintain Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage without annual review of eligibility.

The process for states to “unwind” this expanded eligibility and return to normal enrollment for these programs is underway. The timing and specifics of how each state will handle this process will differ, but each state will have a 12-month period to complete the unwinding, once the process begins in that state.

The resources and information provided here can help rural providers, community organizations, and others understand the unwinding process and help to prepare Medicaid/CHIP enrollees to renew their coverage or find different health insurance coverage.

Key Resources for Understanding the Unwinding

Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after COVID-19
Medicaid.gov
Central resource for states and other Medicaid stakeholders to find information and resources to help them plan and prepare for the unwinding of continuous coverage.

Medicaid and CHIP Renewals: What to Know and How to Prepare, A Partner Education Monthly Series
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Monthly webinar series covering different topics related to continuous enrollment unwinding. Materials from previous calls are available at CMS National Stakeholder Calls.

10 Things to Know About the Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Provision
KFF
Provides an overview of how Medicaid continuous enrollment impacted coverage, requirements and options for states during the unwinding period, outreach options for informing enrollees about the changes, and potential impact of this transition on coverage.

Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker
KFF
Provides Medicaid enrollment data available for each state as well as any unwinding data available on monthly renewals, disenrollments, and other measures.

Timeline and Special Enrollment Period

Key Dates Related to the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Condition Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Explains key dates and processes for states during the unwinding process. Includes a timeline of activities.

2023 State Timelines for Initiating Unwinding-Related Renewals As of June 29, 2023
Medicaid.gov
Lists the first month for unwinding-related renewals and effective data of anticipated first terminations for each state. Includes any prioritization for individuals that states have preliminarily identified as likely ineligible for Medicaid and CHIP.

Temporary Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Consumers Losing Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Coverage Due to Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Condition – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Provides information on how those who lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage due to the end of continuous enrollment can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan during the March 31, 2023-July 31, 2024 special enrollment period.

Communicating to Individuals About the Unwinding Process

All Hands on Deck: Keeping People Covered As States Restart Routine Medicaid Renewals
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Identifies steps that the healthcare community, community organizations, and other groups can take to help support health insurance coverage transitions and renewals as the Medicaid continuous enrollment period ends.

Medicaid and CHIP Renewals Outreach and Educational Resources
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
A collection of materials states and other Medicaid stakeholders can use to communicate about the unwinding of continuous coverage. Includes a communications toolkit, social media messages, print publications, educational videos, and more. Offers materials focused on coverage renewal, addressing coverage loss, and other topics. Provides information on reaching special populations, including the fact sheet Reaching Out to People Who Live in Rural Areas about Medicaid and CHIP Renewals and the related August 2023 recorded webinar focused on rural outreach.

Medicaid and CHIP Renewals: Patient-Centered Messaging for Clinical Offices and Health Care Settings
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
An overview of how healthcare providers can communicate about the Medicaid and CHIP renewal process, as well as tools and messaging to adapt and use in reaching out to patients.

Helping Consumers Navigate Medicaid, the Marketplace, and Employer Coverage
State Health & Value Strategies
Explains the need to educate those losing Medicaid coverage about other health insurance coverage options and identifies useful strategies for states.

Unwinding the Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement—Transitioning to Employer-Sponsored Coverage
State Health & Value Strategies
Describes the role that employer-sponsored health insurance coverage can play in helping those losing Medicaid coverage during the unwinding of continuous coverage.