What You Need to Know About Medicaid and the Unwinding Period

The continuous enrollment condition ended on March 31, 2023, and states are now required to resume regular eligibility and enrollment operations for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including renewals and coverage terminations. It is estimated that 15 million people could lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage and may be eligible for coverage through the Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM). As an agent or broker, you play an important role in connecting consumers with Marketplace health insurance during these transitions. You can also use this opportunity to grow your book of business or gain referrals and connections. This video provides an overview of what the unwinding process is and resources that are available to help you assist consumers.

While most states initially anticipated completing unwinding-related renewals by mid-2024, many states are expected to extend their unwinding timelines for several additional months. In light of this, CMS announced on March 28, 2024 that the Unwinding SEP end date will be extended to November 30, 2024. For additional information, refer to this guidance from CMS.

Additional Resources:
• Webpage on Medicaid.gov with unwinding resources: Medicaid.gov/unwinding
• Helping Consumers No Longer Eligible for Medicaid: What Marketplace Agents and Brokers Need to Know Webinar: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/he...
• Marketplace Agent and Broker FAQs: https://www.agentbrokerfaq.cms.gov/s/...
• Anticipated 2023 State Timelines for Initiating Unwinding-Related Renewals: 2023 State Timelines for Initiating Unwinding-Related Renewals (medicaid.gov)
• Webpage on Medicaid.gov with renewal resources: Medicaid.gov/renewals
• Help On Demand for Plan Year 2023: Help On Demand (10/13/22) (cms.gov)


As a reminder, on HealthCare.gov, agents and brokers can assist consumers, side-by-side, with completing a Marketplace application and enrolling in coverage. As a reminder, agents and brokers who assist consumers on HealthCare.gov are not allowed to:
• Retain access to a consumer’s HealthCare.gov account or associated email.
• Create accounts, login, or submit applications on HealthCare.gov.
• Enter false or dummy addresses in place of a consumer's email or mailing address.
• Enter an agent or broker's own professional or company email or mailing address on a consumer's application.
• Share Marketplace credentials.”