AHIP Reveals Org to Support Stakeholders during Medicaid Redetermination

AHIP has introduced a new outlet for healthcare industry collaboration around the Medicaid redetermination process: the Connecting to Coverage Coalition (CCC).

The payer organization and its partners recognized the challenges that resurrecting the redetermination process poses. To mitigate or reduce the predicted blow to Medicaid enrollment that this will deal, CCC presented itself as a reliable, comprehensive resource.

The organization will compile a comprehensive set of materials on redetermination and encourage sharing information between stakeholders. The materials include research that sheds light on public perceptions of and awareness around Medicaid redetermination.

The organization’s site also consolidates CMS guidance, both related to the unwinding generally and more specific guidance around outreach to beneficiaries.

For example, the site offers five CMS-recommended beneficiary communication touchpoints and three message templates for updating beneficiary contact information, nudging beneficiaries to check their mail, and urging qualifying Medicaid enrollees to submit their renewal forms.

CCC compiled information on telephone communication for the purposes of Medicaid eligibility renewals, primarily guidance from CMS or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

“By working together, the CCC will support a smooth transition back to normal Medicaid eligibility during this unprecedented redetermination process, connect Americans to resources, and help them connect to coverage through other available health insurance, such as individual market or ACA marketplace coverage, employer-provided coverage, or separate coverage under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP),” the press release stated.

The coalition includes a wide variety of organizations. In addition to AHIP, the group consists of other health insurance-related entities, such as: Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), American Benefits Council, Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), Medicaid Health Plans of America, National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, and others.

The organization’s membership pulls from employer groups, healthcare providers, and groups for individuals with disabilities.

In the announcement about this new resource, AHIP mentioned a new report detailing expected shifts in enrollment due to the unwinding. The report found that employer-sponsored health plans would absorb most of the disenrolled Medicaid population. However, 3.8 million former Medicaid enrollees will become uninsured due to the Medicaid unwinding.

HHS anticipated that 9.5 million people would enroll in employer-sponsored health plans after the public health emergency ended and redeterminations restarted and similarly expected that 3.8 million beneficiaries would become uninsured.

Separately, experts have indicated that Medicaid programs should continue to be actively reaching out to beneficiaries after the redetermination process starts. Programs should emphasize consumer education, especially for beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicaid during the coronavirus pandemic who may not be aware of the redetermination process.

To lessen the impact of redetermination, the end of the public health emergency will coincide with a special enrollment period on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. This could shift Medicaid enrollees into marketplace plans.