What to know about federal Medicaid legislation

In recent months Congress passed, and the president signed into law, federal legislation that will deeply impact Medicaid (H.R. 1). Currently, the Medicaid program (which Washington calls Apple Health) provides free or low-cost health coverage for nearly 2 million people across our state, including children, adults, pregnant individuals, those 65 years of age or older, and people with disabilities.

Our state has a sixty-year legacy of providing Medicaid to the people in Washington. As the Health Care Authority (HCA) analyzes the impacts of H.R. 1, our top priority is to implement new federal requirements in ways that minimize coverage loss and reduce customer burden.

There are no immediate changes to existing eligibility, coverage, or benefits for Apple Health

Given the effective dates in the federal legislation and state options for implementation, we anticipate that major changes to the program—including eligibility for members—will not happen immediately. Any program eligibility changes will take at least 9–12 months to be felt, pending guidance from our federal partners at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

We are proactive, not just reactive, to federal changes

Throughout debate on the bill, the HCA and other Washington state agencies have been analyzing and sharing the effects on the Apple Health program, to keep state and federal lawmakers and other impacted groups informed.

We’re now examining the federal legislation to determine:

  • The coverage and financial impacts to Apple Health clients and providers.
  • How Washington can comply with the federal requirements.

Assessing some of these changes, however, relies on future federal guidance that has yet to be released.

We will continue to communicate with you

We will communicate any changes to eligibility, coverage, and benefits as soon and often as possible.