CMS Releases New Data and Guidance on Medicaid and CHIP Application Processing

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On May 9, CMS released new data indicating that, at the end of 2023, states processed more than two-thirds of Modified Adjusted Gross Income Application (MAGI) applications nationwide within seven days—more than half of which were processed in under 24 hours.¹ The Medicaid “unwinding” period has placed pressure on states to promptly complete a high volume of eligibility and enrollment actions.

To remind states of their obligation to process Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) applications in compliance with federal requirements and help states improve timely processing, CMS released an Informational Bulletin and accompanying slide deck highlighting effective policies and practices that states may consider taking up during and after unwinding.

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_{¹ During this same period, states processed approximately 7 percent of MAGI applications in more than 45 days.}