More than half a million Ohioans benefit from public health more than they did two years ago, thanks to the expiration of coverage Covid-era protective measures.
According to healthcare research firm KFF, the number of people enrolled in Medicaid in Ohio fell from over 3.4 million to less than 2.9 million between March 2023 and October 2024.
Why is it important?
The 16% seen in Ohio in under two years coincides with the decline seen nationwide since the beginning of the nationwide “rewinding process” that began following the end of the public health emergency.
While Ohio still has many residents enrolled in two programs compared to pre-pandemic levels, the recent decline is concerning, as it has been suggested that many people have lost compensation due to procedural issues rather than ineligible.
What do you know
From February 2020 to March 2023, the “continuous registration” provisions in the Family's First Coronavirus Response Act prevented the state from making a Medicaid redecision. As a result, registered individuals can retain compensation without completing regular eligibility reviews.
As a result, Medicaid and tip registrations in Ohio have increased from 2.6 million to over 3.4 million by the time the regulations end, reflecting trends observed nationwide.
Some of the 500,000 individuals removed from the Ohio program are likely to be considered ineligible, but research shows that many people lost coverage due to factors beyond their control.
Aaron Doster/AP Photo
A survey conducted by KFF found that many individuals were unaware of the implications of the rewinding process, including whether the state would automatically remove them and the steps required to maintain coverage.
KFF also highlights the issue of “procedural” release. This issue was removed due to administrative errors, delayed update notifications, or processing forms issues, although individuals may still be subject to public health.
Ohio is also one of nine states that received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in late 2023, and raised concerns about the high rate of child lifting.
The agency completed an audit of Ohio's redecision process issued in 2024, estimated that Ohio had mistakenly renewed or fired about 6% of Medicaid enrolled.
What people are saying
Following an audit of the state's rewinding process, HHS Inspector's Office Ends in 2024: “Ohio has generally completed Medicaid qualification actions during the rewind period, in accordance with federal and state requirements.”
What will happen next
As a result of the increased coverage that occurred during the course of the pandemic, KFF found that it was registered about 11% more Medicaid or chips than before February 2020.
Ohio, like all states, has almost completed its rewinding process. As a result, KFF said Newsweek No longer updating the Medicaid and tip termination tallies.
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