Tech glitch causes kids to lose Medicaid coverage.

Tech glitch causes kids to lose Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid Glitch Removes Health Care Coverage for Children

Millions of children are at risk of losing health care coverage due to a “glitch” in the Medicaid system, according to a warning from U.S. health officials. The glitch, resulting from automated systems involved in a large-scale eligibility review, is causing entire households to be removed from Medicaid coverage. However, it is important to note that children in the home may still be eligible based on family income, even if their parents are not.

“I think it’s a very significant problem,” said Joan Alker, the executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Alker’s organization is closely monitoring the Medicaid renewal process in each state. The eligibility review is currently taking place because the prohibition on removing people from Medicaid, which was established during the pandemic, has ended this spring.

During the pandemic, the number of individuals on Medicaid grew substantially from 71 million to 94 million. As the pandemic-related restrictions are lifted, states are now returning to annual eligibility determinations. The process involves using computer programs to review income and household information, including factors such as unemployment benefits and food assistance. People are then sent notices asking them to verify their eligibility. Those who do not qualify or do not respond may be dropped by Medicaid.

However, it is worth noting that most states allow children to have coverage at much higher household income levels than adults. This means that eligible kids may not be successfully renewed, which violates federal requirements, as stated by Daniel Tsai, the director of the CMS Center for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Services.

According to the Associated Press, approximately 5 million people have lost coverage during these eligibility reviews. Maryland is one of the states unintentionally purging kids from Medicaid rolls. However, the state has responded swiftly and is working closely with the CMS to address this issue and ensure that eligible individuals, especially children, remain covered by Medicaid. Maryland has paused all procedural terminations, which involve removing individuals for not responding to a letter. Additionally, the state is retroactively reinstating coverage for children who were not renewed automatically.

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Missouri is taking a manual approach to renew coverage for eligible children whose parents are not eligible. This manual process is extending the time it takes to complete the eligibility review. The CMS has given states until September 13 to report if this glitch is happening in their states. They have instructed states to pause procedural terminations, reinstate coverage for those inadvertently dropped, and find a solution to prevent this issue until the automated system is fixed.

It is crucial that children maintain access to health care coverage. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of poverty and children’s health. By ensuring that eligible children remain covered by Medicaid, we can protect their well-being and provide them with the necessary medical care they need.

Question: The abbreviated term ADHD denotes the condition commonly known as: – A. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – B. Autism Spectrum Disorder – C. Anxiety Disorder – D. Acute Developmental Disorder

Answer: A. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Sources: – U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, news release, Aug. 30, 2023 – Associated Press