A coalition of health organizations, led by health insurance group AHIP, has come together to create a “one-stop shop” to help the millions of Americans facing enrollment from Medicaid when states begin rolling out their benefits in the coming months. Will review.
The Connecting to Coverage Coalition is comprised of 16 associations representing health insurers, providers and patients, including the Federation of American Hospitals, the American Health Care Association, the Catholic Health Association of the United States, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, AHIP . announced Thursday.
groups established a Website To connect Medicaid enrollees with resources to learn how Medicaid rescheduling will affect them and where they can obtain replacement coverage, such as from the health insurance exchange. The website also includes information on states and healthcare organizations to facilitate enrollment in optional coverage.
According to data compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation, between 5.3 million and 14.2 million people could lose Medicaid when states begin removing enrollees who no longer qualify but retain benefits during a public health emergency , as states require continued coverage for federal pandemic support. Starting April 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will allow states to wind up their programs.
In conjunction with the coalition’s announcement, AHIP released a state-by-state report outlining the effects of the rescheduling. According to the insurance group, more than half of those who lose Medicaid coverage will enroll in employer-sponsored health plans and more than 20% will be uninsured. CMS will establish a special enrollment period to facilitate people moving from Medicaid to subsidized private coverage on the health insurance exchanges, which will run from March 31, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Although the AHIP-led effort includes representatives from for-profit and Catholic hospitals, the American Hospital Association and America’s Essential Hospitals are not participating.
“The AHA is deeply committed to enrolling all individuals and families in comprehensive healthcare coverage,” Molly Smith, group vice president of public policy, said in a statement. We are actively working with CMS, our member hospitals and health systems, and others to prepare for the Medicaid rescheduling process to ensure that no one loses coverage and critical access to care . We have been in close contact with the Coalition and welcome the additional support on this important issue.”
A spokeswoman for America’s Essential Hospitals said the Safety Net Providers group was not asked to get involved, but that its “members routinely focus on access and connecting uninsured patients to coverage.”
Other members of the Connecting to Coverage coalition are the American Benefits Council, Arch of the United States, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Cancer Support Community, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Medicaid Health Plans of America, Mental Health America, National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, National Association of Community Health Centers and UNIDOS.