Connecting to Coverage Coalition

Who We Are

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress passed laws to ensure that people with Medicaid would have continuous health coverage during the pandemic. Now, with over 90 million people covered by Medicaid, new federal laws require states to return to normal operations. State Medicaid programs are “unwinding” from COVID-era policies and are resuming verification of people’s continuing eligibility for Medicaid.

The Connecting to Coverage Coalition (CCC) represents a diverse collection of stakeholders partnering to minimize disruptions in health coverage associated with the resumption of state Medicaid renewals or “redeterminations” in 2023. As states return to their normal Medicaid operations, the CCC is coordinating with community leaders to ensure that people have access to trusted, reliable information that helps them enroll in health insurance coverage to protect their health and financial security.

“Medicaid and CHIP are critical to our nation’s health, as millions of individuals, families, and children are insured by these health coverage programs. During the COVID Public Health Emergency, millions more were able to get coverage. This brought peace of mind to some of our nation’s most vulnerable communities. Today that coverage is at risk as fifteen million people could lose coverage. CHA has developed an initiative, Protect What’s Precious, with tools our members can use to help their patients keep their coverage. We look forward to working with the Connecting to Coverage Coalition to help beneficiaries secure their coverage during this Medicaid redetermination process.”

– Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Health Association of the United States

“With the Medicaid redetermination process already underway, millions of Americans will be looking for trusted, reliable information to guide them. The Connecting to Coverage Coalition will be an essential resource to help them through Medicaid redetermination, and to learn more about the health care coverage that is best for them.”

– Matt Eyles, President and CEO, AHIP

“The goal of this coalition is simple and essential – ensuring Americans don’t lose access to health coverage they count on. As the Medicaid redetermination process begins, millions of our nation’s most vulnerable seniors, disabled, poor, and children across the country are at risk of getting lost in a sea of misinformation, confusion, and bureaucratic paperwork – we must protect them. We look forward to working with those in the Connecting to Coverage Coalition to ensure everyone currently covered can continue to get the vital care they need and deserve.”

– Chip Kahn, President and CEO, Federation of American Hospitals

“With the protections that were temporarily instituted during the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency beginning to end, including preventing disenrollment from Medicaid, we do not want to see vulnerable people slip through cracks and ending up uninsured. The Cancer Support Community (CSC) believes that it is important to equip people with knowledge and reliable resources to navigate the Medicaid redetermination process.”

– Debbie Weir, Cancer Support Community CEO

“Millions of Americans are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage. Our commitment is simple: Everyone should have access to high-quality, equitable and affordable care, in times of trouble like the pandemic, and every other day. We are proud to join the Connecting to Coverage Coalition and are actively working to help individuals and families transition coverage.”

– Kim Keck, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

“Coverage plus care equals good health. That’s why ACHP and its nonprofit member companies are so focused on a smooth Medicaid redetermination process. As states resume normal operations, we are proud to be a part of the Connecting to Coverage Coalition, working closely with local groups to minimize disruption and ensure everyone continues to have access to high-quality, affordable coverage and care.”

– Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans

"Millions of vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities living in our nation’s nursing homes and assisted living communities rely on Medicaid for their long term care needs. They require around-the-clock assistance that can’t afford to be disrupted. AHCA/NCAL is proud to join the Connecting to Coverage Coalition to help ensure Medicaid beneficiaries—especially the aged, blind, and disabled—have consistent coverage and access to care."

– Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL (American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living

“The National Council for Mental Wellbeing supports the important work of the Connecting to Coverage coalition and its efforts on Medicaid ‘redetermination.’ As states begin to redetermine who is eligible to receive coverage, it’s important to understand what’s at stake for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges who rely upon Medicaid coverage to access lifesaving treatment services.”

– Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

“The National Association of Community Health Centers is proud to join forces with the Connecting to Coverage Coalition. Community Health Centers serve over 30 million patients, including one in five Medicaid beneficiaries and one in three people living in poverty. This is why Community Health Centers across the nation play an essential role in the Medicaid redetermination process. They employ dedicated staff, such as health navigators and outreach and enrollment workers, who help patients understand and enroll in health insurance coverage such as Medicaid and CHIP.”

– Rachel A. Gonzales-Hanson, Interim President and CEO, National Association of Community Health Centers

“One of the most important things we can do as health care organizations is to protect and care for the most vulnerable in our communities. This coalition unites us in a common goal to do that and join forces to ensure the Medicaid redetermination process does not devastate millions of American families and children by jeopardizing coverage they have come to rely on. Hospitals and health systems serve on the front lines caring for everyone who comes through our doors, and we remain deeply committed to making sure no one loses access to critical coverage and care.”

– Rick Pollack, President and CEO, American Hospital Association

“With Medicaid redeterminations underway, Medicaid managed care organizations play a critical role in ensuring that enrollees continue to have health insurance. We are proud to be a part of the Connecting to Coverage Coalition to help equip vulnerable Americans with resources to successfully navigate and complete the redetermination process and maintain access to high quality, affordable health coverage and care.”

– Craig Kennedy, President and CEO of the Medicaid Health Plans of America

Unwinding Developments, Tools, & Resources

Stay Informed: State Timelines for Resuming Medicaid Eligibility Renewals

CMS has published a chart tracking each of the 50 states' anticipated timelines for initiating unwinding-related renewals. The list is current as of February 24, 2023, and will be updated by the agency as information becomes available.

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CMS Unwinding Resources

Visit CMS's dedicated Medicaid unwinding landing page to access a trove of guidance documents, advocacy toolkits, and other resources to help stakeholders prepare for the return to normal eligibility and enrollment operations.

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Supporting Medicaid and SNAP Unwinding Efforts

This CMS presentation outlines opportunities and challenges that the unwinding presents Medicaid and SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), as well as steps to help facilitate the return to normal operations.

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Key Unwinding Timelines and Activities

CMS has published a pair of example timelines that outline the administrative actions states will need to take to prepare for the return to regular operations

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Additional Partner Resources

For Your Awareness: Consumers Experiencing Fraud Related to Medicaid Unwinding

We understand some consumers are receiving fraudulent telemarketing calls, text messages, and other communications regarding Medicaid and their health care coverage. We are actively working with CMS to develop specific consumer messaging regarding fraudulent activity in this space. In the meantime, the Connecting to Coverage Coalition has put together high-level messaging that can be shared with consumers, and we hope you will keep your ears open and share with us any additional incidents, state advisories, or messaging.

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Survey of State Eligibility, Enrollment & Renewal Policies to Prepare for Unwinding

The 21st annual survey of state Medicaid and CHIP program officials conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) in January 2023 presents a snapshot of actions states are taking to prepare for the lifting of the continuous enrollment provision, as well as key state Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and renewal policies and procedures in place as of January 2023.

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Medicaid Redetermination Coverage Transitions Report

AHIP's new report provides a state-by-state analysis of where people who are no longer eligible for Medicaid are likely to have access to coverage.

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State Resource Guide for Medicaid Redeterminations

This resource from the Medicaid Health Plans of America provides state-level stakeholders with key information to support Medicaid enrollees, promote best practices, and limit disruptions in coverage during the redetermination process.

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Slide Video: Finding Affordable Health Coverage

This slide video from the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals offers instructions for Medicaid enrollees on finding affordable health care coverage during the redetermination process.

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Understanding the LTSS Redetermination Process

This memo from the American Health Care Association & National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) provides an overview of best practices and ideas for ensuring continuity of coverage for Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) members.

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50-State Unwinding Tracker

Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute is tracking key documents and information each state has posted with respect to the unwinding of Medicaid's continuous coverage protection and the end of the public health emergency.

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