The U.S. government broadened the eligibility criteria for medical coverage programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic until May 2023.
When the emergency declaration for the U.S. officially ended in May, states returned to their usual criteria for determining eligibility for government-operated medical benefits.
Georgia, along with the rest of the United States, initiated the Medicaid unwinding process due to certain reasons. Since the unwinding process commenced in May 2023, approximately 600,000 individuals in Georgia have experienced a loss of their Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. This significant impact highlights the repercussions of the ongoing Medicaid unwinding process in the state.
Please note that this is a direct quote and should not be modified.
According to the Georgia State Auditor, it was estimated that approximately 545,000 individuals in Georgia would lose their coverage due to lack of eligibility. However, as of February 29, state officials reported that a total of 594,996 people had actually lost their medical insurance, including those who were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
Data from the Georgia Department of Community Health reveals that the coverage of 504,312 Georgians was terminated, while another 92,682 individuals were found to be ineligible for coverage through either program.
In February, it was reported by Channel 2 Action News that by December, 41% of patients with Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids, the state version of CHIP, had lost their coverage.
In February, a total of 36,202 individuals from Georgia had their coverage terminated, with an additional 10,348 individuals being deemed ineligible.
More than half a million Georgians have lost their medical coverage from Medicaid and CHIP since last April. According to the state, some of the residents who were deemed ineligible for coverage experienced changes in circumstances, including increased incomes, changes in household compositions, aging out of coverage in CHIP cases, or moving out of Georgia.
In February, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that 32% of Georgians who had renewal deadlines had their cases “procedurally terminated,” making up almost 80% of all terminations during that month.
Georgia state officials have announced that the Medicaid unwinding process in the state will come to an end by the end of May. Starting in June, Georgia will revert back to its usual redetermination and renewal process for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiary applications.
Georgia has implemented a program called Pathways to Coverage, aimed at offering healthcare coverage to low-income residents through a work requirement. The program has seen an active enrollment of 2,344 individuals as of December. The unwinding process will continue until the end of May.
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