A new study by researchers at New York University and Harvard University in Boston found that many people disenrolled from Medicaid during the redeterminations process were likely unaware they had coverage to begin with.
Medicaid redetermination is the process that states use to ensure that Medicaid enrollees continue to be eligible for Medicaid coverage.
In 2021, 2.7 million people with Medicaid coverage in 2021 reported becoming uninsured in 2022. Because states were prohibited from disenrolling people from Medicaid during the COVID-19 public health emergency, these individuals were likely unaware they retained their Medicaid coverage.
As of May 10, 2024, 21.9 million people have been disenrolled from Medicaid, according to KFF. Of those disenrolled, 69% had their coverage terminated for procedural reasons, such as failing to return required paperwork, rather than being determined ineligible for the program.
You can read the full study here.