Medicaid Unwind – What it IS & What it Means for You

Because Medicaid eligibility is based on income in ratio to the number of family members, people roll on and off the plan accordingly—usually on an annual basis. However, due to the pandemic in 2020, our Government passed the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act which increased the federal share of states’ Medicaid costs. This helped to stabilize state budgets and offset the healthcare costs states incurred in response to the pandemic. This also allowed thousands of families to have health coverage that may not have had it otherwise.

​On December 29, 2022, Congress signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CCA) that ends the continuous enrollment provision set in 2020 effective March 31, 2023.

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What this means is that if YOU are on Medicaid in lieu of Marketplace Health Insurance, you will be required to update your application and income status to see if you still qualify. Be on the lookout for letters from the Louisiana Department of Health regarding your eligibility status, whether or not you’re being disenrolled and how to appeal and/or what information YOU need to provide in order to remain eligible.
 
An Unwinding SEP (special enrollment period) will be in effect for individuals and families losing Medicaid coverage to enroll in Marketplace Health Insurance between March 31, 2023, and July 31, 2024. Consumers who are eligible for the Unwinding SEP will have 60 days after they submit their application to select a plan and their coverage will be in effect on the first day of the month after they select a plan.
 
EX: You submit your application and select a plan for health insurance through the Government’s Health Insurance program online at healthcare.gov OR a local agent on April 15, 2023, your coverage will go into effect on May 1st.
 
If you are losing your Medicaid benefits and need health insurance, give Sharon Galicia Agent/Owner of Gulf South Benefits a call at 337-656-3255 and she’ll be happy to assist you in applying for and selecting your Marketplace policy.
 
Some Medicare recipients who were not eligible for Medicaid prior to 2020 may not be eligible after March 31st either so YOU, too, should watch for your letter(s) and be willing and able to provide the necessary information to maintain or renew your eligibility. Any time a Medicare recipient loses (or gets) Medicaid coverage, they are automatically put into a SEP (special enrollment period) so that proper Medicare coverage can be obtained.
 
If you are on Medicare & Medicaid and are losing your Medicaid coverage, give our Licensed/Trained Medicare agent, Connie Driskell a call at 337-310-2253 and let her help you find the appropriate Medicare plan for your individual needs and lifestyle.

We look forward to meeting your Medicare needs!

Tommy Curtis & Staff
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​Disclaimers:
ALL material on this blog is available for informational purposes only.
 
Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
{A Life and Health Agency}
 
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Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency.
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