HHS urged nine states to do more to keep eligible children enrolled in Medicaid, and more states are considering Medicaid work requirements.
Here are seven Medicaid updates Becker's has reported since Dec. 11.
- Starting Jan. 1, California will become the first state to offer Medicaid coverage to all eligible undocumented individuals.
- At least two California mental health programs are set to close because of reduced Medicaid reimbursement rates from the state.
- Georgia's Medicaid work requirement program is off to a slow start, and other states are mulling implementing work requirements in 2024. Here are three Medicaid work requirement updates Becker's reported in December.
- Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who has tried unsuccessfully for years to expand Medicaid in the state, introduced a new "middle of the road" plan that includes work requirements.
- HHS urged states to do more to prevent eligible children from being disenrolled from Medicaid coverage. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra sent letters to the governors of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas Dec. 18, requesting states adopt strategies laid out by CMS to improve renewal rates for children and families.
- Elevance Health's managed Medicaid plans in 21 states were recognized by the NCQA for their advanced health equity efforts.
- Massachusetts' Medicaid program, MassHealth, will expand coverage of doula services to pregnant, birthing and postpartum beneficiaries beginning in spring 2024.