Congress took action to expand programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, or food stamps. It also established wholly new federal benefits such as paid sick leave and caregiving leave, as well as expanded free school lunches.
In addition, it provided practically universal pandemic benefits such as stimulus checks and child allowances to help families and businesses stay afloat.
From March 2020 to the present, the government spent approximately $5 trillion assisting individuals and businesses.
Timeline for Medicaid Eligibility in Your State
CMS published a timetable of expected state timescales for commencing unwinding-related renewals.
Major adjustments were made to Medicaid enrollment and eligibility regulations during the pandemic to promote ongoing health insurance coverage.
The termination of the pandemic-specific modifications is referred to as unwinding.
If a state concludes that a person is ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP, governments can discontinue coverage beginning April 1, 2023. State-by-state timeframes, on the other hand, will govern when someone can lose coverage for procedural reasons, such as failing to respond to a renewal form.
The new CMS chart details the estimated timelines. Organizations that help people with disabilities and older adults who need to renew their Medicaid applications should consult the chart to determine the deadlines in their state.
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Where Can People Get Help?
Jodi Ray, Executive Director of the University of South Florida’s Florida Covering Kids and Families, and Katie Roders Turner, Executive Director of the Family Healthcare Foundations.
Both organizations are entrusted with assisting people in obtaining healthcare coverage, including Medicaid if they qualify, or public or private health insurance if Medicaid is ineligible.
Healthcare navigators are offered in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk counties to help people discover appropriate coverage.
You can schedule an appointment with a Covering Florida navigator in person or virtually by visiting www.coveringflorida.org or calling 877-813-9115.
The Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency of the Florida Department of Children and Families provides a customer call center at 850-300-4323 that can direct you to local services.
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