Florida removed 1.4 million Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the unwinding process, with 2.8 million enrollees re-approved for government health coverage. Due to the end of continuous coverage for Medicaid, beneficiaries had to reapply, and some were not re-approved, with many being removed for procedural reasons such as not submitting forms on time or having an incorrect address.
56 percent of the de-enrolled population in Florida were removed for various reasons, such as aging out of eligibility categories, no longer being pregnant, or having an increase in income. This trend in Florida mirrors a nationwide pattern, with at least 19.6 million Medicaid enrollees being removed across the country, representing roughly 30 percent of enrollees since the Medicaid unwinding process began. States like California and New York also saw high numbers of enrollees losing coverage due to procedural reasons.
Texas and Florida, which did not adopt Medicaid expansion, saw higher numbers of disenrollments due to non-procedural reasons. The lack of thorough processes for unwinding Medicaid protections led to many beneficiaries not being aware of deadlines or requirements, resulting in loss of coverage. Individuals who have lost Medicaid coverage are advised to contact the state Medicaid agency to find out the reasons for their loss and to reapply if they still qualify.
Children made up 65 percent of the unenrolled in Texas, where 2.1 million Medicaid enrollees were removed, leaving only 1.9 million enrolled. Many adults in Texas may financially qualify for Medicaid, but are unable to access it without a dependent child under 18. The complex healthcare situation in Texas has led many individuals to go without health insurance, with the Marketplace system likely kicking out applications to Medicaid due to income levels, resulting in lack of access to tax credits.
Overall, the Medicaid unwinding process in states like Florida and Texas has highlighted the challenges faced by Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly concerning lack of awareness of deadlines and requirements leading to loss of coverage. The removal of millions of enrollees across the country points to a need for improved communication and processes in informing beneficiaries about their coverage status. Efforts to reapply and understand eligibility criteria are advised for those who have lost Medicaid coverage during the unwinding process.
