Analysis of Medicaid disenrollment process reveals significant state variation and impact on enrollment levels
Title: Medicaid disenrollment rates vary widely among states, new analysis finds
A recent analysis by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has revealed significant disparities among states in the ongoing Medicaid disenrollment process. While enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP decreased by 9 million people from April to November 2023, some states experienced disenrollment rates exceeding 100% of projected net disenrollments.
Eight states, including Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas, had Medicaid disenrollments surpassing 100% of projected net disenrollments. On the other hand, 19 states had net disenrollment rates of 50% or less of the firm’s projected total net disenrollment.
The analysis also found that the net disenrollment rate was much higher for children than adults nationwide, with total net disenrollment among children at 84.2% of the expected total. Seven states had adult net disenrollment rates greater than 100% of expected disenrollment, while 12 states had child net disenrollments exceeding that threshold.
The ongoing unwinding of Medicaid eligibility redetermination processes has raised concerns about the potential loss of coverage for eligible enrollees. Some argue that states are moving too quickly, while others believe that slowing down the unwinding process could result in unnecessary costs to state and federal budgets.
As more states complete the unwinding process, the results from the analysis are expected to evolve. It is anticipated that disenrollment rates may moderate in the second half of the unwinding as states address procedural disenrollments and work through populations deemed likely ineligible.
Overall, the analysis highlights the complex and varied landscape of Medicaid disenrollment across states, underscoring the need for careful consideration and monitoring of the unwinding process to ensure that eligible individuals maintain access to essential healthcare coverage.