Medicaid Unwinding Is Ongoing — And Millions May Still Be Eligible for Coverage
If you received a notice that your Medicaid coverage was terminated or reduced after 2023, you are not alone — and you may not be permanently ineligible. The Medicaid unwinding process, which began after Congress ended the continuous enrollment protection tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency, has resulted in tens of millions of disenrollments nationwide, according to tracking data maintained by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). Critically, a significant share of those disenrollments have been classified as procedural — meaning people lost coverage not because they were ineligible, but because of paperwork issues, outdated contact information, or administrative backlogs. Understanding what happened to your coverage, and what programs may be available to you now, is the most important step you can take.
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What Is Medicaid Unwinding?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government required states to keep Medicaid enrollees continuously covered as a condition of receiving enhanced federal funding. That protection ended on March 31, 2023. After that date, states were required to conduct eligibility redeterminations for all Medicaid enrollees — a process known as "unwinding."
States were given up to 12 months to complete this process, but implementation has varied significantly. Some states moved quickly and disenrolled large numbers of people in early 2023. Others are still working through their caseloads. KFF's Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker has documented both the scale of disenrollments and the high rate of procedural terminations — cases where coverage ended not due to confirmed ineligibility, but due to administrative failures.
Why Procedural Disenrollments Matter
If your Medicaid was terminated for procedural reasons — for example, your state sent a renewal form to an old address, or your paperwork was not processed in time — you may still meet the income and household eligibility criteria. In that case, you have options:
- Request a fair hearing through your state Medicaid agency if you believe your termination was in error. Most states allow you to request a hearing within 90 days of receiving a termination notice.
- Reapply immediately. There is no waiting period to reapply for Medicaid. If your circumstances have not changed, you may be found eligible again.
- Contact your state Medicaid office directly or use HealthCare.gov's eligibility screening tool to check your current status.
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Medicaid Income Limits: What You Need to Know
Medicaid eligibility is primarily income-based and varies by state, household size, and eligibility category. Under the ACA's Medicaid expansion (adopted by most but not all states), adults without dependent children may qualify if household income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
For families with children, pregnant individuals, and people with disabilities, income thresholds may be higher. Some states have expanded eligibility further through state-funded programs.
States that have not expanded Medicaid — including several in the South — maintain much narrower eligibility criteria for adults, often requiring dependent children or a qualifying disability. If you live in a non-expansion state and do not meet traditional eligibility categories, Marketplace coverage with ACA subsidies may be your most accessible option.
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CHIP: Coverage That May Be Available for Children
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a separate but related program that covers children in households with incomes too high for Medicaid but who cannot afford private insurance. CHIP income limits vary by state but typically cover children in households earning between 200% and 300% FPL, and in some states up to 400% FPL.
If your child was disenrolled from Medicaid during unwinding, they may be eligible for CHIP without any gap in coverage eligibility. States are required to screen children for CHIP when they are found ineligible for Medicaid.
To apply for CHIP: - Apply through your state's Medicaid/CHIP agency (find your state's contact at Medicaid.gov) - Apply through HealthCare.gov, which screens for both Medicaid and CHIP - Apply in person at a local Department of Social Services or community health center
Required documents typically include: proof of identity, proof of state residency, Social Security numbers for household members, and documentation of household income (pay stubs, tax returns, or employer letters).
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ACA Marketplace Coverage: Your 60-Day Window After Losing Medicaid
If you lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage and are not immediately re-enrolled, federal law gives you a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) of 60 days from the date of coverage loss to enroll in a Marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov (or your state's exchange).
This is a critical window. Missing it means waiting until the next Open Enrollment Period (typically November 1 through January 15 in most states) unless you experience another qualifying life event.
ACA Subsidy Eligibility
Premium tax credits (subsidies) are available to households earning between 100% and 400% FPL, and under current law, enhanced subsidies are available beyond that threshold for many households. Benefit amounts vary by household size and income. Cost-sharing reductions — which lower deductibles and copays — are available to households earning up to 250% FPL who enroll in a Silver-tier plan.
To apply, visit HealthCare.gov or your state's exchange. You will need: - Social Security numbers for all household members applying for coverage - Employer and income information for everyone in your household - Policy numbers for any current health insurance - Information about any job-based insurance available to your household
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Federally Qualified Health Centers: Care While You Navigate Coverage
If you are currently uninsured while working through Medicaid re-enrollment or Marketplace enrollment, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care, dental, mental health, and prescription services on a sliding-fee scale based on income. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
FQHCs also employ enrollment assisters — often called Patient Navigators or Certified Application Counselors — who can help you apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace coverage at no cost to you. To find an FQHC near you, use the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Finder at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
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Steps to Take Right Now
- Check your Medicaid status by contacting your state Medicaid agency or logging into your state's benefits portal.
- Request a fair hearing if you believe your termination was procedural or in error.
- Reapply for Medicaid or CHIP if your income and household situation still meet eligibility criteria.
- Enroll in a Marketplace plan within your 60-day SEP window if you are not eligible for Medicaid.
- Visit an FQHC for immediate care and free enrollment assistance while you sort out coverage.
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People Also Ask
Can I reapply for Medicaid after being disenrolled during unwinding? Yes. There is no waiting period to reapply for Medicaid after disenrollment. If your income and household circumstances still meet your state's eligibility criteria — generally at or below 138% FPL in expansion states — you may reapply immediately through your state Medicaid agency or HealthCare.gov. Procedural disenrollments do not create a permanent bar to re-enrollment.
How long do I have to enroll in a Marketplace plan after losing Medicaid? Federal rules provide a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) starting from the date your Medicaid or CHIP coverage ends. You must enroll through HealthCare.gov or your state's exchange within that window to avoid a gap in coverage. Missing this deadline typically means waiting until the next Open Enrollment Period.
What income level qualifies for CHIP? CHIP income limits vary by state but generally cover children in households earning between 200% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Some states extend CHIP eligibility up to 400% FPL. Pregnant individuals may also qualify for CHIP in many states. Check your state's specific thresholds through your state Medicaid/CHIP agency.
What documents do I need to reapply for Medicaid? Typically required documents include: proof of identity (driver's license, passport, or birth certificate), proof of state residency (utility bill or lease), Social Security numbers for household members, and proof of income (recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a letter from your employer). Self-employed individuals may need to provide business records or a signed statement of income.
What if I live in a state that hasn't expanded Medicaid? In non-expansion states, adult Medicaid eligibility is generally limited to specific categories such as parents with dependent children, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, and elderly individuals. If you do not meet these criteria, you may still be eligible for subsidized Marketplace coverage through the ACA. Households earning between 100% and 400% FPL — and in many cases above that — may qualify for premium tax credits.
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Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
Last reviewed: April 2026