Since the end of the pandemic protections in the era, about 500,000 Georgians have lost public health coverage under Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP).
KFF, an organization that focuses on health policies, has reported data showing that Georgia Medicaid and ChIP enrollment decreased between March 2023 – October 2024 from 2.5 to 2 million. It is a major shift for Georgia’s vulnerable population, especially low-income families and individuals.
What are the implications of disenrollment from Medicaid in Georgia?
Georgia’s decrease of 21% in Medicaid/CHIP enrollment is higher than the national average, at 16%. It highlights the special challenges the state faces. Furthermore, Georgia’s disenrollment rate – the rate at which people are removed from the program without successfully renewing their coverage – is 45%, significantly higher than the national average of 31%. The discrepancy in Georgia’s disenrollment rate raises serious questions as to why more Georgians have lost their health insurance after COVID-19 ended.
Unwinding Medicaid: What is it?
Over half amillion Georgians will lose their health insurance due to the “unwinding of Medicaid” that began in March, 2023. A provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was implemented at the beginning of the epidemic, early 2020. This ensured that Medicaid and CHIP recipients would be enrolled “continuously” from the time the outbreak began. The COVID-19 emergency prevented the states from redetermining eligibility in accordance with standard criteria.
In Georgia, the total Medicaid/CHIP enrollment increased from 1.8 to 2.5 millions during continuous enrollment, which is a 37% rise in coverage. After the continuous enrollment period expired, a number of people were re-determined. This created administrative problems for both Georgia and individuals who wanted to keep their healthcare.
KFF Research indicates that people all over the United States did not understand the full implications of unwinding and how they could ensure continuous coverage. Georgia residents struggled to comprehend the complicated Medicaid renewal processes.
KFF found that a significant number were terminated for “procedural” reasons, such as not receiving renewal notices, or delays in processing eligibility documents, even though they were eligible. The bureaucratic barriers contributed to a significant loss of coverage.
KFF reports that Georgia is the state with a high rate of disenrollment due to procedural reasons. 74% of all those who were removed fall into this category. Only 26% disenrolled due to being deemed ineligible. Numbers show that Georgians who are eligible for healthcare cannot maintain it due to systemic barriers.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in late 2023 sent Georgia and 8 other states a letter expressing concern about the large number of children who lost coverage due to the dewinding process. The federal review highlights the seriousness of Georgia’s ongoing challenge in providing healthcare to children.
Experts share their opinions
Leah Chan stated that in December of 2023, she was the Director of Health Justice, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. It is important to ensure that all children have access to health insurance. This is not only a goal of policy, but also a commitment made to our children’s well-being and to families who work hard. The COVID-19 emergency public health policy that allowed for continuous enrollment should no longer be in place. Chan’s declaration emphasizes that it is critical to deal with the root causes for coverage loss.
Deanna Williams is an insurance navigator with the non-profit Georgians for a Healthy Future. She told Atlanta’s WABE news outlet in May 2024. “During This [unwinding] A lot of people still don’t understand the process or they are not sure what it is. Others don’t have a clue what to do next. That’s something I’ve noticed the most. Williams’ observations highlight the urgency of greater education and outreach to Georgians in order for them to navigate through the complex process of redetermination.