More than 29,000 Mississippians lost Medicaid coverage at the end of June after the federal government ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Those disenrolled accounted for 44% of those who were up for renewal.
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid reported the figures on Monday, saying in a press release that the totals reflect “the first month of eligibility renewals that have been initiated as part of a yearlong, federally mandated effort for state Medicaid programs to restore eligibility operations following the end of the continuous provision that was in effect during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).”
In April, DOM initiated reviews for 67,695 beneficiaries with June renewal months. About 56% retained coverage.
Of the 29,000+ disenrolled, at least 60% were individuals whose coverage had previously been extended during the PHE. In June, the state’s Medicaid rolls increased to 904,590 before disenrollments.
“Total enrollment is expected to continue to decline as redeterminations continue,” the division said.
Beneficiaries who believe they may have been disenrolled in error may appeal the decision, DOM said.
Additional information is available at https://medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered/,” the press release says.
Mississippi is one of 10 states whose leaders have refused billions in federal dollars to expand Medicaid, however, there is a gap between those who are eligible for Medicaid and those who are eligible for federal health insurance subsidies.
Without expansion, thousands will have no affordable options. Experts have estimated that as many as 300,000 Mississippians would gain coverage if the state expanded its Medicaid program. (Mississippi Free Press 07/11/23)
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