Extension of Public Health Emergency

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, has extended the determination that a public health emergency exists through January 21, 2021 (90 days from the previous extension on October 23). Accordingly, there is an extension through that date of the Medicaid “maintenance of effort” (MOE) pre-requisite for an enhanced federal Medicaid match for states.

The MOE prohibits disenrollment of, or a reduction in services for any Medicaid beneficiary enrolled on or after March 18, 2020. See Secretary Azar Extends Public Health Emergency Medicaid Protections for Beneficiaries and States (Georgetown Center for Children and Families blog post, 10/5/20).

 

Transition after Public Health Emergency Ends

Policy analysts are starting to think about how states will transition back to “normal” when special rules for the federal Public Health Emergency expire. See:

• Medicaid Maintenance of Eligibility (MOE) Requirements: Issues to Watch When They End (Kaiser Family Foundation, 9/22/20)
• States Need Federal Guidance to Plan for When the Public Health Emergency Ends (National Academy for State Health Policy, 10/5/20)

 From Family Voices Washington D.C. Update 10.9.20