Kentucky children under the age of 19 covered under COVID Medicaid enrollment can continue their coverage. The commonwealth has received federal approval to delay what is known as the Medicaid “unwinding” process. The COVID-19 public health emergency ended in May. That caused Medicaid enrollment to change back to the federal processes that were in place before March of 2020.
During a press conference this week, Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman said Kentucky is the first state to implement this flexibility.
“I’m so proud that Kentucky is leading the way in eliminating roadblocks to healthcare access. More than 600,000 Kentucky children on Medicaid and the K-CHIP program will continue to have access through the healthcare coverage they deserve.”
Coleman said this extension of benefits lasts for a year.
“We can now automatically extend the child’s coverage for 12 months without having to go through an extra renewal process. Kentucky is the first state in the country to implement this kind of flexibility.”
This will remain effective through the end of Kentucky’s unwinding period, which is scheduled for April of next year. The only way a child can be disenrolled during the 12-month continuous coverage period is if the child turns 19, a parent or guardian requests disenrollment or the child moves out of state.
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