Medicaid Renewals Dashboard:
Returning to Regular Operations

Alaska has approximately 260,000 individuals enrolled in all Medicaid programs. Prior to Covid and the public health emergency, Medicaid renewals were occurring annually. During the public health emergency—to ensure continued coverage—the federal government suspended the Medicaid renewal process. During this time a considerable number of individuals experienced a status change that would impact their eligibility to the program, but due to the halted process, the exact total of ineligible individuals remains uncertain. It is expected that some people who are no longer eligible will now lose coverage.

The Department of Health’s priority is to ensure that Alaskans have healthcare coverage, either through Medicaid or another more appropriate plan.
Alaska has already taken advantage of a number of flexibilities afforded by our regulators, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and will be applying for more to increase our ability to cover eligible beneficiaries.
The Division of Public Assistance is committed to supporting eligible individuals and providing opportunities for a redetermination. Recipients have 180 days to submit supporting documentation for retroactive coverage.
Recognizing the challenges faced by rural, off-the-road communities in Alaska, the state has been granted special authorization to extend the Medicaid redetermination process to an 18-month duration. This decision takes into account the obstacles of limited connectivity, unreliable mail service, and the prevalence of subsistence and outdoor activities in these areas.
As of April 2023, states have initiated reporting to CMS on Medicaid redeterminations. As Alaska's data continues to develop and mature, additional analysis and visualizations will be made available for sharing.

October Ex Parte Snapshot: Month Six

As of October 31, 2023: Current State of Medicaid Renewals in Alaska: 181,519 remaining; 72,843 processed, 28.6% complete

Leveraging existing state databases—approximately 25% of individuals can be automatically renewed to verify eligibility, requiring no action from the individuals. Requests for additional information are sent to those who cannot be renewed automatically. Those who do not respond are notified of their disenrollment in writing. However, individuals eligible for benefits still have 180-days to submit renewal forms to retain and enjoy coverage retroactively—meaning there is no gap in coverage so long as the paperwork is completed, returned, and approved.

Medicaid Renewals September-October 2023 Monthly Snapshot.

Medicaid Renewals Demographics: By Age, By Region for June, July & August

Medicaid Renewals Juneau - August 2023 Monthly Snapshot. Data replicated in archive section at the bottom of this page.

* Note that due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100% in the charts above.

Monthly Snapshot Explained—As of the day it is published, this graph reports on four possible “dispositions” resulting from initiated renewal:

Renewed and Retained: Individuals qualified for Medicaid benefits and successfully maintained their coverage.
Determined Ineligible: Individuals who no longer meet the eligibility criteria for Medicaid due to factors such as exceeding the income or resource limit. Referrals are made to the Federally Facilitated Marketplace to explore alternative affordable healthcare coverage options.
Procedural Disenrollments: These are situations where individuals are disenrolled because they failed to complete the renewal process. Reasons for this may include not receiving the renewal form due to outdated contact information, or failure to return the completed renewal packet or required verification within the specified timeframe.
Pended for Additional Information: These are renewals that were initiated but are currently in a pending status. Further work is being done to gather additional information and complete the full determination process.

Important clarification—Disenrollment does not necessarily mean that individuals will face a gap in their coverage! Individuals can submit the needed renewal form or verification for a full 180 days after their Medicaid benefits are terminated and the division will redetermine their eligibility back to the date of closure without a new application.

Disenrollment with potential continued eligibility: Individuals who are disenrolled from Medicaid for a procedural reason can reestablish eligibility. Individuals have a 180-day window to submit the necessary renewal form or verification. The division will then reassess their eligibility and if eligible, reinstate their Medicaid coverage back to the date of closure without requiring a new application.
Disenrollment due to ineligibility: Some individuals may disenroll because they are no longer eligible for Medicaid. In such cases, the Division of Public Assistance supports their transition to alternative coverage options. These individuals may be referred to the Federally Facilitated Marketplace and/or a health care navigator. Navigators play a crucial role in assisting consumers with the application process, helping them establish eligibility, and enroll in coverage through the Marketplace. They may also provide guidance on potential qualification for insurance affordability programs.

The Division of Public Assistance is committed to supporting eligible individuals and providing opportunities for a redetermination. The 180-day reconsideration period provides individuals with an additional window of time to provide any necessary documentation to re-establish their eligibility with the division without having to reapply for Medicaid.