Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:
CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure Covers Medicare Basics in Part Two of Guest Blog
April 13: Social Security Matters published the second of a two-part guest blog by CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure covering the basics of Medicare for the publication’s 400,000 subscribers. The blog continues the discussion of what people need to know regarding the Medicare program — when to apply, how to apply, what options to consider, and the tools and resources available to help coverage decisions. Part 1 was published on April 6, 2023.
CMS Continues Outreach and Education Efforts to Help People Keep or Find New Coverage During Medicaid Redetermination – Including Information in Multiple Languages
April 18: As states begin the process of redetermining Medicaid eligibility for millions on their states’ rolls, CMS and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) posted a blog jointly authored by Assistant Secretary January Contreras and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure calling on community partners to lend their voices to help people stay connected to affordable, comprehensive care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare, the Health Insurance Marketplaces, or employer-sponsored coverage. The blog includes information and resources on what individuals and families can do to retain their Medicaid coverage or find new coverage. You can also read the blog on the CMS website.
April 19: CMS’ Enrollment Assistance Personnel (EAP) program is back and updated to aid consumers with healthcare coverage transitions. CMS reestablished and revamped the EAP program, with EAP assisters prepared to help consumers who lose Medicaid coverage to facilitate a seamless transition to Marketplace coverage during the Medicaid redetermination period. CMS is also ensuring the EAPs' efforts are coordinated with other assisters in the community to help consumers understand basic concepts and rights related to health coverage, provide enrollment assistance, and work with individuals to link coverage to care. In addition, agents and brokers can also help consumers enroll in new coverage options. Information on the EAP program can be found here.
April 10: CMS added information in five additional languages to its Medicaid redetermination toolkit as part of its ongoing efforts to help people on Medicaid and CHIP maintain their coverage or transition to other coverage options. Personal health literacy and language access are key factors in ensuring people have the information they need to make health-related decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Information is now available in Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
CMS Approves Oregon Health Plan Demonstration Amendment Helping Individuals Maintain Medicaid Coverage
April 20: CMS approved an amendment to the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) demonstration that authorizes Medicaid coverage for individuals ages 19 through 64, with incomes from 133 through 200 percent of the federal poverty level, who are currently enrolled in OHP under a guarantee of continued eligibility originally enacted in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which expired April 1. The amendment will help maintain coverage following the expiration of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision under FFCRA. This amendment will streamline retention of coverage by not requiring people to move to the Marketplace. The state is actively exploring options for long-term coverage for this population, including potentially establishing a Basic Health Program. Information can be found here.