Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

On September 26th, The Biden-Harris Administration released guidance on health coverage requirements for children and youth enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The guidance serves as support for states in ensuring children with Medicaid and CHIP coverage receive the full range of health care services they require. Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) requirements provide comprehensive health coverage for children and youth. The guidance reinforces the EPSDT requirements and includes strategies and best practices for states in implementing the requirements. Included is an explanation for statutory and regulatory EPSDT requirements. Read CMS's release to learn more.

On July 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of April 2024, over 67.2 million people are enrolled in Medicare; more than 33.3 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare, and over 33.9 million are enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other health plans. Over 81.6 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP. More than 74.6 million individuals have Medicaid, and over seven million have coverage through CHIP. Nearly 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs.

On March 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the “Streamlining Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Basic Health Program Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes” (CMS-2421-F2) final rule. The rule is designed to make it easier for millions of eligible people to enroll in and retain their Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) coverage.

On Monday, February 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated State Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program Vaccine Toolkit. This updated toolkit serves as a consolidated and comprehensive compilation of vaccination policies, including related flexibilities and coverage and payment requirements, for states to consider as they transition away from the COVID-19 public health emergency and implement Inflation Reduction Act coverage requirements. It also includes additional considerations states may make to enhance vaccination coverage and access, including provider qualifications, immunization registries, and payment considerations.