Medicaid Unwinding Information and Guidance

THE STATE OF WYOMING Mark Gordon Department of Insurance Jeffrey P. Rude Governor Commissioner 106 E. 6th Ave. ▪Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002 To: All Wyoming licensed Insurers, Producers and Other Interested Parties From: Jeff Rude, Wyoming Insurance Commissioner RE: Medicaid Unwinding Information and Guidance Date: April 14, 2023 __________________________________________________________________________________________ At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (FFCRA). FFCRA required that state Medicaid programs keep people continuously enrolled through the end of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 was signed into law, setting an end date of March 31, 2023 for the continuous enrollment provision. The Wyoming Department of Insurance (DOI) anticipates that eligibility redeterminations may impact thousands of Wyoming consumers who may no longer qualify for Medicaid. Special Enrollment Period Guidance ● Health Insurance Marketplace: A special enrollment period (SEP) on the Health Insurance Marketplace has been authorized by the federal government and will be available from March 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024 for individuals who may no longer be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. Individuals eligible for Marketplace plans will have 60 days after they submit their application to choose a Marketplace plan, and their coverage will start the first day of the month after the plan is selected. ● Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Special Enrollment: Wyoming consumers eligible for Medicare, including disabled people under 65 years of age, and who are enrolled in Medicare Part B receive a Medicare Supplement "open enrollment" and "guaranteed issue" period of six months to purchase a Medicare supplement or Medigap policy. During that initial open enrollment period, insurers must offer Medicare Supplement policies to individuals and cannot discriminate in the pricing of Medicare Supplement policies due to their health status. To ensure low and moderate income seniors have access to Medicare Supplement plans, the Wyoming Department of Insurance is requesting that all health insurers writing Medicare Supplement business in Wyoming offer a guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement plan to all applicants who have exhausted their initial open enrollment period as a result of their continued enrollment in Medicaid and who can show verification of a Wyoming Medicaid eligibility change. Insurers should allow these applicants to Administration (307) 777-7401 ▪Fax (307) 777-2446 ▪https://doi.wyo.gov/ ▪Licensing (307) 777-7319 ▪Consumer Affairs (307) 777-7402 enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan with a guaranteed issue period of 63 days starting on the date of a Medicaid eligibility change. All licensed producers, insurance companies, SHIP volunteers, navigators and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to assist individuals and families in understanding and facilitating (when applicable) enrollment in Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. Resources ● Enroll Wyoming For assistance in enrolling in a Qualified Health Plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from certified Health Insurance Marketplace Navigators please visit the Enroll Wyoming website at https://enrollwyo.org/ or dial 211 and ask to be directed. They will connect you with a Navigator in your area who can educate and assist individuals in obtaining coverage. ● Wyoming State Health Insurance Program (WSHIP) For assistance and education in enrolling in Medicare and a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan please contact Wyoming Senior Citizens at 1-800-856-4398 or wshiipmgr@wyoming.com to find a volunteer near you to discuss your options. ● Wyoming Medicaid For questions or assistance with Medicaid eligibility and coverage please call 307-777-7531 or visit their website at https://health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/medicaid/. For individuals currently enrolled in Medicaid, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are encouraged to update their contact information by visiting www.wesystem.wyo.gov or by calling 1-855-294-2127 so they can be reached when the eligibility reviews are performed. ● Wyoming Department of Insurance For questions related to insurance and consumer assistance please visit the Department’s website at https://doi.wyo.gov/. Any questions related to this memorandum should be directed to Jill Reinking at jill.reinking3@wyo.gov. 2