NORC Study Reveals Significant Coverage Loss among Dual Eligibles

On November 19, 2024, the NORC research center at the University of Chicago released a study examining the impact of Medicaid unwinding on individuals dually eligible for Medicare. Dual eligibles generally represent individuals with the highest level of need given that they qualify for Medicare on the basis of age and/or disability & qualify for Medicaid due to low income and assets. According to the NORC analysis, approximately 1.6 million full-benefit dual eligibles (FBDE) were disenrolled from Medicaid during the unwinding period that began in April 2023. This represents greater than 17% of the total pre-unwinding FBDE enrollment. Further, only 2.1% of these disenrolled duals have re-enrolled in Medicaid after their initial disenrollment.

The substantial loss of coverage among dual eligibles identified in the NORC study aligns with the research from the Alliance (and its predecessor NAHC) during the unwinding period. We once again call on CMS and states to better track the status of and outcomes for older adults and people with disabilities during the unwinding period. Alliance members can be valuable resources to ensure that members are receiving, and aware of, notices of renewal and can also assist with collecting needed documentation to ensure that unnecessary disenrollments do not occur.

The NORC research is available HERE.