On April 2, 2024, CMS published a final rule titled, “Medicaid Program: Streamlining the Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Basic Health Program Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes.” This final rule addresses the remaining provisions from the September 2022 proposed rule and also responds to President Biden’s Executive Orders from January 2021 and April 2022 to strengthen Medicaid and improve access to affordable, quality healthcare coverage.
CMS received a total of 7,055 comments during the Federal comment period from state agencies, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, associations, insurers and plans, and the general public. The rule is effective June 3, 2024, though different provisions are phased-in over time.
Through the final rule, CMS aims to help eligible individuals enroll in and retain Medicaid, CHIP, or BHP coverage. The provisions are intended to:
- Standardize and align enrollment and renewal processes
- Reduce coverage disruptions
- Improve access to care in CHIP
- Modernize recordkeeping requirements
- Enhance program integrity
Sellers Dorsey summarized the provisions which align with the preamble from the final rule.
