Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) has released updated data following the completion of the state's Medicaid unwinding period. This marks a significant milestone in West Virginia's healthcare system, according to Cynthia Beane, DoHS Bureau for Medical Services Commissioner. She stated, "Completing the Medicaid unwinding process represents a significant milestone for West Virginia’s health care system. Throughout this period, the Department has remained dedicated to ensuring that every West Virginian received the care they required, when they needed it most."

From April 2023 to March 2024, West Virginia conducted 520,729 renewals for Medicaid and the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP). Between April and December 2023, 279,952 individuals were approved for ongoing coverage while 207,674 were not. The follow-up on pending and incomplete renewals from January to March 2024 is still pending. Those not eligible will have their eligibility determined within three months. Additionally, 14,561 individuals not eligible for Medicaid or WVCHIP have been transferred to the Federal Marketplace.

Medicaid enrollment at the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency was 504,760 in March 2020. This number increased to 665,010 by March 2023 due to continuous eligibility provisions but dropped to 516,500 as of April 1, 2024.

WVCHIP enrollment decreased from June 2020's figure of 22,025 to April 2023's figure of 18,138 but rose again to reach a total of 25,663 by March end in response to a net gain from transfers during the unwinding period.

Further information about West Virginia Medicaid and related topics can be found at dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Pages/West-Virginia-Medicaid,-Public-Health-Emergency-and-Unwinding-the-Continuous-Eligibility.aspx.