The Single Streamlined Application Under the Affordable Care Act: Key Elements of the Proposed Application and Current Medicaid and CHIP Applications

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes a number of changes to simplify the Medicaid enrollment process. As part of these changes, beginning in 2014 all states will be required to use a single, streamlined application provided by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services unless they receive approval to use an alternative application. A draft version of the streamlined application was released for public comment on January 28, 2013.

This analysis provides an overview of key elements of the proposed paper-based streamlined application and 85 current printable Medicaid and CHIP applications, with a focus on several areas, including: availability of application assistance; language accessibility; verification of income; verification of citizenship and immigration status and other messages for immigrant families; medical support requirements; and disability screening questions. While many individuals applying for health coverage in 2014 will likely use the online version of the streamlined application, it is difficult to analyze given its dynamic nature. However, review of these key elements on the paper-based application is largely applicable to the online version because it includes similar data requirements and language as the online version.

 Report (.pdf)

 Appendix Tables (.pdf)