The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Data and IT “Table Stakes” for Retaining Coverage Gains

This issue brief reviews state Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) data and information technology system “table stakes”—strategies that will have the highest impact for states seeking to ensure that eligible enrollees are able to keep or transition to new affordable health coverage when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) continuous coverage requirements end. Following the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, states will resume normal eligibility and enrollment activities for all enrollees in Medicaid and the CHIP. If adopted, these strategies will also enable states to dramatically improve Medicaid/CHIP enrollment and coverage retention in the longer-term for people eligible for government subsidized health coverage.