Several months into the “unwinding” of the COVID-19 public health emergency, New York officials and community-based organizations are still hard at work ensuring more than 9 million New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan maintain their coverage.
On August 24, hundreds of stakeholders focused on this critical unwinding effort gathered at a United Hospital Fund event to assess the latest renewal data, discuss on-the-ground outreach and renewal efforts, and explore opportunities to overcome ongoing challenges. The hybrid event— “Surviving the Unwinding Part II: Tracking New York’s Effort to Maintain Enrollment After the Continuous Coverage Period”—is the second in a series held by UHF surrounding the enormous task of reassessing eligibility and renewing coverage for millions across the state.
“Back in February when we first convened, it was clear we all understood the magnitude and that we were committed to being partners with the state to make this happen—and a lot has happened since then,” UHF President and CEO Oxiris Barbot, MD, told nearly 400 in-person and virtual attendees. “Together we can collaborate to make sure we maximize the number of New Yorkers that remain covered.”
New York State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri told participants that data from June and July show promising results of the state’s outreach efforts, but that challenges are likely to rise in the fall. Of the state’s first unwinding cohort in June, 78 percent of enrollees have renewed their coverage, including 6 percent who were permitted to submit enrollment after a June 30 deadline, according to a presentation from New York State of Health Marketplace Deputy Director Sonia Sekhar. Initial numbers for the July cohort show that 69 percent of enrollees have renewed coverage so far. Monthly enrollment statistics are subject to change over time as more complete renewal data is collected, Mr. Bassiri noted.
Convening attendees also heard important updates from those on the frontlines of the unwinding effort across the state. Experts from New York State Department of Health’s Division of Eligibility and Marketplace Integration, Healthfirst, Montefiore Medical Center, Public Health Solutions, and Southern Tier Independence Center outlined the successes and challenges of mail, text, email, phone, social media, and in-person efforts to reach those who need to renew their coverage. Plus, panelists discussed strategies to overcome language barriers, technology difficulties, staffing shortages, and other challenges they’ve encountered.
“You feel like you’re the only one fighting these battles and it’s good to know that you’re not,” said Southern Tier Independence Center Director of Health Enrollment Programs Chad Eldred. “New York State has a lot to be proud of and, while our numbers are not perfect, we’re doing better than a lot of states. I think it’s a testament to what we have built here.”
Finally, New York State Department of Health and New York State of Health Marketplace officials provided updates on mitigation efforts to keep New York in compliance with renewal requirements and waivers the state received to grant flexibility throughout the unwind.
“This whole process reminds me of the quintessential quality improvement process where we plan, do, study, and act,” Dr. Barbot noted at the end of the convening. “There's been transparency about quantitative date, qualitative data, and we’ve shared examples of the way in which the system hasn’t worked the way it was intended to and nuances we need to take into consideration to make it even stronger as it goes forward.”
UHF remains committed to bringing together all relevant stakeholders on the most pressing issues affecting health care and looks forward to its continuing partnership with the State and community organizations on future unwind convenings.
Find an agenda, slide deck, and full video of the unwinding convening below.