A Health Affairs article authored by Centene, with support from Manatt Health, discusses continuous coverage for youth enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, particularly the causes and consequences of coverage gaps, the benefits of stable coverage, and current state activity on continuous enrollment policies.
According to the article, coverage gaps for children often occur from "churn,” which is frequently driven by paperwork issues or temporary changes in circumstances. These coverage gaps can negatively impact children’s access to critical primary and preventative care.
The article argues that uninterrupted coverage is key to ensuring continuity of care and improving long-term health, in addition to increasing financial stability for families. As such, federal and state governments are seeking ways to promote greater stability for children and their families, including a federal law effective January 2024 that requires all states to provide 12-month continuous enrollment to children younger than age 19.
“Coupled with state, health plan, and provider efforts to strengthen access to care, continuous eligibility policies reduce paperwork barriers to coverage and care—along with associated administrative costs—and hold the promise of providing better health and health outcomes for millions of children,” the article concluded.
Read the full article here.