Addressing Persistent Medicaid Enrollment and Renewal Challenges as Rolls Increase

Growth in Medicaid enrollment is expected to accelerate as a result of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic downturn. An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), for example, shows that by January 2021, nearly 17 million people could be newly eligible for Medicaid.ⁱ In June, the Georgetown Center for Children and Families reported that Medicaid enrollment in 15 states had increased 5.8 percent over the past three months.ⁱⁱ The additional expected increase could mirror the surge seen during the first Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment Period (OEP1) in 2013, during which there was an influx of first-time applicants who were unfamiliar with Medicaid enrollment and renewal processes.  

Although significant progress has been made in streamlining and simplifying these processes and systems for beneficiaries whose income eligibility is determined based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), states vary widely in their priorities and approaches.ⁱⁱⁱ There are still many points along the enrollment and renewal paths where eligible individuals might remain uninsured or lose Medicaid coverage, and these challenges may be exacerbated by a surge in newly eligible individuals. Recently, some states have taken advantage of the flexibility in enrollment and eligibility determination offered by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declared by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in order to streamline Medicaid enrollment processing^{iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix}; however, this flexibility may be rolled back at the end of the PHE while widespread enrollment and renewal challenges will continue to persist.

Drawing on work done for the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), this blog provides a summary of documented, effective mitigation strategies states can use to address enrollment and renewal challenges in Medicaid and highlights strategies currently being used in four states: California, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Washington. Although this analysis pre-dates the coronavirus outbreak, these findings may offer helpful ideas about how states can address long-standing challenges in enrolling and renewing individuals in Medicaid as during current nationwide enrollment increases nationwide due to COVID-19 as well as in anticipation of returning to regular operations once the PHE expires. The findings, statements, and views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of MACPAC.

Overview: Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Trends in state Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and renewal policies over the past four years indicate that an increasing number of states are complying with ACA provisions designed to streamline program administration at enrollment and renewal.^x  States are also moving toward providing more application supports, which can make the process faster and more user-friendly, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Application Supports Aimed at Streamlining Enrollment

Note: The survey denominator is 50 states and D.C. Forty-one states supported online beneficiary accounts in 2017, 42 states supported them in 2018 and 2019, and 43 states supported them in 2020.

Table 1 Sources: Brooks, T., Wagnerman, K., Artiga, S., Cornachione, E., and Ubri, P. 2017. Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and cost sharing policies as of January 2017: Findings from a 50-state survey. Washington, DC: Georgetown CCF and KFF. Available at http://files.kff.org/attachment/Report-Medicaid-and-CHIP-Eligibility-as-of-Jan-2017; Brooks, T., Wagnerman K., Artiga S., and Cornachione, E. 2018. Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and cost sharing policies as of January 2018: Findings from a 50-state survey. Washington, DC: Georgetown CFF and KFF. Available at http://files.kff.org/attachment/Report-Medicaid-and-CHIP-Eligibility-Enrollment-Renewal-and-Cost-Sharing-Policies-as-of-January-2018; Brooks, T., Roygardner, L., and Artiga, S. 2019. Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and cost sharing policies as of January 2019: Findings from a 50-state survey. Washington, DC: Georgetown CFF and KFF. Available at http://files.kff.org/attachment/Report-Medicaid-and-CHIP-Eligibility-Enrollment-Renewal-and-Cost-Sharing-Policies-as-of-January-2019; Brooks, T., Roygardner, L., Artiga, S., Pham, O., and Dolan, R. 2020. Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and cost sharing policies as of January 2020: Findings from a 50-state survey. Washington, DC: Georgetown CFF and KFF. Available at http://files.kff.org/attachment/Report-Medicaid-and-CHIP-Eligibility,-Enrollment-and-Cost-Sharing-Policies-as-of-January-2020.pdf

Through document review and key informant interviews, we identified 30 ongoing Medicaid enrollment and renewal challenges, many of which are longstanding issues that predate state streamlining efforts and the COVID-19 outbreak. Exhibit 1 shows the different challenges states and beneficiaries may face at each point of the Medicaid application, income verification, and renewal processes, as well as the points between enrollment and renewal.

Exhibit 1. Remaining MAGI Medicaid Enrollment and Renewal Challenges

Exhibit 1 Source: State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) document review and select key informant discussions 2020.

We also reviewed the robust body of literature on effective strategies for increasing MAGI Medicaid enrollment, and we compiled and organized some of the most effective strategies that states can implement at each point of the Medicaid enrollment and renewal processes (Exhibit 2).

Exhibit 2. Summary of Effective Strategies for Mitigating Enrollment and Renewal Risks

Exhibit 2 Sources: Medicaid and CHIP (MAC) Learning Collaboratives, the Coverage Learning Collaborative. 2019. Medicaid & CHIP MAGI application processing: Ensuring timely and accurate eligibility Determinations [PowerPoint]. Washington, DC: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Available at https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/downloads/mac-learning-collaboratives/timely-accurate-eligibility.pdf; Wishner, J. 2018. Medicaid real-time eligibility determinations and automated renewals: Lessons for Medi-Cal from Colorado and Washington. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. Available at https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/98904/medicaid_real-time_eligibility_determinations_and_automated_renewals_2.pdf; Brooks, T., Park, E., and Roygardner, L. 2019. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment decline suggests the child uninsured rate may rise again. Washington, DC: Georgetown CCF. Available at https://ccf.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Enrollment-Decline.pdf; Code for America. 2019. Bringing social safety net benefits online: Examining online platforms for all 50 states. San Francisco, CA: Code for America. Available at https://www.codeforamerica.org/programs/integrated-benefits/bringing-social-safety-net-benefits-online; Maneely, J. 2019. Fast track: A quicker road to Medicaid enrollment. Philadelphia, PA: Benefits Data Trust. Available at https://bdtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Fast-Track-Issue-Brief_December-2019.pdf; Wagner, J. 2016. Reasonable compatibility policy presents an opportunity to streamline Medicaid determinations. Washington, DC: CBPP. Available at https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/8-16-16health.pdf; Wagner, J. 2018. Improving SNAP and Medicaid access: Medicaid renewals. Washington, DC: CBPP. Available at https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/11-30-18fa_asap_medicaid_renewals.pdf; Brooks, T., L. Roygardner, and S. Artiga. 2019. Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and cost sharing policies as of January 2019: Findings from a 50-state survey. Washington, DC: Georgetown CFF and KFF. Available at http://files.kff.org/attachment/Report-Medicaid-and-CHIP-Eligibility-Enrollment-Renewal-and-Cost-Sharing-Policies-as-of-January-2019; Artiga, S., and M. Diaz. 2019. How quickly are states connecting applicants to Medicaid and CHIP coverage? Washington, DC: KFF. Available at: https://www.kff.org/report-section/how-quickly-are-states-connecting-applicants-to-medicaid-and-chip-coverage-findings/; Lynch, C. 2019. Oversight of state Medicaid claiming and program integrity expectations. Baltimore, MD: CMS. Available at https://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/Federal-Policy-Guidance/Downloads/cib062019.pdf; United States Government Accountability Office. (January 2020). Medicaid Eligibility: Accuracy of Determinations and Efforts to Recoup Federal Funds Due to Errors. GAO-20-157. Washington, DC: United States Government Accountability Office. Available at https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-157; Wagner, J. Leveraging Text Messaging to Improve Communications in Safety Net Programs. Washington, DC: CBPP. Available at https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/leveraging-text-messaging-to-improve-communications-in-safety-net. 

During our analysis we identified two persistent risk points that are especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic: verifying self-employment income and making eligibility determinations for complicated cases. Below we highlight effective mitigation strategies that California, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Washington have implemented to address these challenges. 

Challenge: Verifying Self-Employment Income

Income verification remains one of the biggest challenges states face when determining an individual’s financial eligibility for Medicaid.^xi This is especially true for those with unstable incomes, such as individuals who are self-employed, seasonally employed, or frequently change jobs. In these cases, income may not be able to be confirmed with electronic income data sources due to data lags or other limitations. 

When electronic sources cannot be used, alternative documentation is required (e.g., pay stubs). Further, individuals reporting self-employment income often have to submit additional financial information, compared to those who are not self-employed, in order to verify their income. This information may include recent tax filings or profit and loss statements (i.e., summaries of revenues, costs, and expenses that were incurred during a specific period). Collecting and reporting this information can be confusing and difficult, especially for new Medicaid enrollees.

Mitigation Strategy: Offer multiple options for reporting and verifying self-employment income

• Allow multiple forms of documentation (e.g., bank statements or self-created profit and loss statements, or self-attestation) to report self-employment income. California and Idaho both allow self-employed individuals to verify income by submitting their own self-generated profit and loss statement or a summary of their expected income generated by a certified public accountant. Both states have also created alternative forms that mirror the income and expense categories typical for self-employed individuals and can be used to help self-employed applicants or beneficiaries report their net income.
• Provide flexible tools that help self-employed individuals accurately calculate their income. Washington’s online Medicaid application includes a built-in income calculator, which assists individuals with accurately reporting their income in a variety of increments (e.g., hourly, monthly, quarterly, or annually) and then prompts individuals with additional questions in order to determine financial eligibility.

Mitigation Strategy: Clearly explain what individuals need to report and how to report it

• Provide explicit direction about what counts as income for MAGI purposes. California has worked collaboratively with community stakeholders to create a “What Income Counts” document^xii that explains what income to report and how to report it. Similarly, Washington has a dedicated web page^xiii with guidance for self-employed individuals to calculate income and provides helpful examples of business expenses to deduct from this calculation.
• Provide education and referrals to help applicants collect needed documentation. Respondents indicated that in-person assistance from navigators and enrollment assistors remains a critical tool for individuals to successfully report their income upon initial application and at times of renewal. For example, in Idaho, navigators report success in scheduling pre-appointments with applicants to review what documents are needed for the application. Similarly, navigators in Washington indicate that tax accountants (e.g., United Way free tax preparers) have become an important referral for individuals who need help calculating profit and loss statements.

Challenge: Making Swift and Accurate Eligibility Determinations for Complex Cases

Robust business rules engines (software systems that automate Medicaid rules as well as electronic access to data sources to verify various factors of eligibility) have been critical tools to support successful and real-time Medicaid eligibility determinations. This is especially true for simple cases, such as a single adult with relatively stable employment. Some states, however, continue to struggle with business rules engines making correct determinations in more complex enrollment situations, such as families with mixed health insurance coverage or individuals missing information on key eligibility factors.

Mitigation Strategy: Deploy a specifically trained workforce and formalize escalation procedures to resolve issues in the eligibility system

• Create a category of navigators authorized to move more complex cases through the application or renewal process. Washington provides additional training to “enhanced” navigators who offer technical assistance to regular navigators in order to troubleshoot problems that arise when processing complex cases. Enhanced navigators attend additional training throughout the year to receive updates on processes and policies, and they have a higher level of access to the eligibility system.
• Provide a mechanism to escalate cases. Rhode Island provides navigators with the ability to escalate cases that appear to have received incorrect eligibility determinations, especially in situations where there is a quick-turnaround time needed—e.g., medical emergencies. Escalation teams within the state’s human services agency are designated to respond to navigators in a timely manner with a determination review.  

Mitigation Strategy: Utilize community feedback mechanisms to identify enrollment challenges with complex cases and identify mitigation solutions

• Interviewees in all four states (California, Idaho, Washington, and Rhode Island) highlighted the importance of community feedback mechanisms in providing a venue for navigators to bring developing challenges and areas of concern to the attention of the state and to suggest solutions. Specifically, stakeholders in California and Washington spoke positively about the increasing number of opportunities—such as formal consumer-focused stakeholder workgroup meetings or informal communication channels—for navigators, eligibility workers, and community organizations to collaborate regularly with state agency staff to discuss complex cases and consider ways to better address these situations.

Conclusion

Our analysis focused on identifying effective and innovative strategies for addressing Medicaid enrollment and renewal challenges and exploring specific strategies used by four states—California, Idaho, Washington, and Rhode Island. Since this study, the spread of the COVID-19 virus has simultaneously increased the need for medical coverage to cover fees associated with COVID treatment and triggered an economic downturn, and both of these issues are expected to increase enrollment in Medicaid programs nationwide.^xiv 

While the administrative flexibilities mentioned earlier aim to facilitate the influx of new Medicaid enrollments for the time being, the main risk points of Medicaid enrollment and renewal can be expected to continue in some form and will no doubt return when the Public Health Emergency ends.^xv The need to continue to explore and implement innovative enrollment and renewal approaches remains, and the findings from this analysis can offer a reminder to states of ongoing efforts to improve Medicaid enrollment and renewal processes.