Explaining Health Reform: Uses of Express Lane Strategies to Promote Participation in Coverage

A new issue brief by the Kaiser Family Foundation and The Children’s Partnership examines how states can employ "express lane" principles to help simplify and expand enrollment in Medicaid and other health coverage for the millions of uninsured adults and children who will gain eligibility for such coverage under the health reform law beginning in 2014.

The patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires states to develop streamlined processes for establishing, verifying, and updating individuals’ eligibility for Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and federal subsidies for exchange coverage. The law calls upon states to leverage existing data sources as much as possible for this purpose, to improve program efficiency and increase participation. Building on current authority for Medicaid and CHIP, states will need to create linkages between the health coverage programs and public programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and to databases held by federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service. This brief explains express lane principles and authority and outlines how states planning for the implementation of the ACA can  capitalize on the opportunities that express lane strategies present.

To download the full issue brief click here.