The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for qualified individuals and their families who are losing Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage due to the end of the continuous enrollment condition — also known as “unwinding.”
This temporary SEP, referred to as the Unwinding SEP, will allow individuals and families in Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) states to enroll in Marketplace coverage. CMS will update Marketplace enrollment platforms (HealthCare.gov and Direct Enrollment/Enhanced Direct Enrollment pathways) so that Marketplace-eligible consumers who submit a new application or update an existing application between March 31, 2023, and July 31, 2024, and attest that they have lost or will lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage between these dates, are eligible for the Unwinding SEP. Consumers who are eligible for the Unwinding SEP will have 60 days after they submit their application to select a plan with coverage that starts on the first day of the month after they select a plan.
Agents and brokers can refer to the CMS Agent and Broker FAQs website for more information on the Unwinding SEP. To read the new FAQs about how to help consumers transition their coverage to the Marketplace during this SEP, click the button below.
Many consumers who lose Medicaid coverage will be directed to apply for coverage through the Marketplace. Although the earliest terminations will be effective on April 1, some states began processing unwinding-related renewals on February 1. People who receive advance notice of an April 1 termination may apply for Marketplace coverage immediately to ensure continuity of coverage.