Streamlining Access: New CMS Rule Aims to Boost Medicaid Enrollment

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the release of the final rule, Streamlining Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Basic Health Program Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes (CMS-2421-F2), making it easier to enroll in and retain Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) coverage. This rule is a response to President Biden’s Executive Orders (January 2021 and April 2022) to strengthen Medicaid and access to quality health coverage by simplifying enrollment and ensuring continuity of coverage, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

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The final regulation focuses on simplifying the application and enrollment process, aiming to prevent gaps in Medicaid coverage due to administrative complexities. The rule simplifies enrollment by:

• Removing unnecessary barriers to enrollment
• Streamlining required documentation
• Ending burdensome requirements
• Simplifying eligibility criteria

These measures aim to make the Medicaid enrollment process more accessible and efficient to improve healthcare access and equity.

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