By: Skyler Rosellini and Alicia Emanuel
Executive Summary
This webinar was a joint presentation of the Western Center on Law & Poverty and the National Health Law Program. David Kane, Senior Attorney at the Western Center, contributed to this webinar.
The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) implemented flexibilities that help people across the country get on, and stay on, Medicaid. As a result, Medicaid enrollment numbers swelled during the pandemic, including in California.
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 which delinked the continuous coverage requirement from the PHE. This requirement has kept state Medicaid agencies, like the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), from terminating or reducing Medi-Cal coverage during the PHE with few exceptions. The continuous coverage requirement will end on March 31, 2023. Beginning April 1, 2023 counties across the state will begin the process of annual Medi-Cal renewals for all beneficiaries.
Public education, outreach and advocacy will be critical to ensuring that individuals and families do not lose their Medi-Cal coverage in error. This webinar will provide an overview of the federal and state guidance on unwinding efforts, what to expect, and advocacy efforts to ensure a smooth unwinding process that protects Californians’ access to health coverage.
Watch this webinar on YouTube here.
