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Thousands to lose Medicaid coverage in Georgia

On Behalf of | May 26, 2022 | Medicaid Planning |

Hundreds of thousands of people in Georgia rely on Medicaid for their health insurance. Through the Affordable Health Care Act, many residents were able to gain access to health insurance, and thousands more signed up during the continuous coverage period instated after the onset of the pandemic. However, that requirement will soon end, leaving hundreds of thousands of Georgians looking for other forms of coverage.

Growth in enrollment

Between March 2020 and Dec. 2021, enrollment in the Medicaid and Children’s Heath Insurance Program increased by 24%. Like all other states, Georgia received federal funding for the Medicaid program, and program administrators have been prohibited from disenrolling anyone from the program or ending their coverage. Before the pandemic, participants could renew their enrollment once per year, and some may have lost coverage due to changes in income and other reasons, so the continuous enrollment requirement helped thousands retain access to quality health care.

Now that the special enrollment requirement is ending, which is slated to happen on July 15, 2022, hundreds of thousands of people in the Peach State will lost access to Medicaid. Reports state those people may apply for health insurance through the marketplace, provided they meet the requirements.  Officials estimate that up to more than 450,000 non-elderly adults and children may lost Medicaid coverage, and the ostensible enormous influx of new applications for health care coverage will severely overload the system and lead to increased processing times and other issues.

Medicaid coverage issues

Those who rely on Medicaid for their health care in Georgia are likely concerned about the continuous enrollment requirement ending.  In order to gain a full understanding of their rights and options, they should consult with an attorney who has experience with Medicaid and similar matters. A lawyer can work with a client throughout the proposed 14-month unwinding period to help an individual retain or gain access to much needed health coverage.