Last updated: May 26, 2023
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has ended. The process of “unwinding,” with many policies put in place during the pandemic ending or changing, has begun. The PHE Unwinding will mean that more than 80 million individuals and families nationwide will be required to renew their Medicaid coverage and many children risk losing coverage even if they are still eligible.
For families of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), any lapse in health care coverage could have devastating impacts. This is particularly concerning for children of color, many of whom are covered by Medicaid and also face additional barriers to accessing health care.
National Resources
Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap - from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Unwinding Continuous Coverage - from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families
Renew Your Medicaid or CHIP Coverage - from Medicaid.gov
Public Health Emergency Unwinding Resources - from the Kaiser Family Foundation
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Continuous Coverage Unwinding – Medicaid Eligibility - from the National Health Law Program
Attempts to scam Medicaid Members popping up nationwide as unwinding commences - from the National Association of Medicaid Directors
Telehealth Flexibilities and Resources and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – from the US Department of Health and Human Services
Fact Sheet: End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – from the US Department of Health and Human Services
A Closer Look at Medicaid Call Center Options as the Unwinding Kicks into High Gear – from Georgetown Center for Children and Families
State Dashboards to Monitor the Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement – from State Health and Value Strategies
Promoting Coverage for MCH: Recent Resources and Tools – from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
California-specific Resources
Keep yourself and your family covered - from the California Department of Health Care Services
Planning for the End of the Continuous Coverage Requirement - from the California Department of Health Care Services
Our Funded Work
Solutions Journalism Stories and Columns on CYSHCN and their Families
How to Support Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and their Families as the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends
Strategies to Ensure Continuous Coverage for Children at the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Working With Community-Based Organizations and Individuals with Lived Experience to Support Continuity of Coverage at the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Maintaining Telehealth Access to Medicaid-Covered Pediatric Services After the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency