States Find New Electronic Data Match Effective and Efficient in Confirming Citizenship

One of the exciting new options provided by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) is the ability of states to use an existing electronic data exchange with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to document citizenship. All states have entered into agreements with the SSA to use this new capability starting January 1, 2010. To date 27 states are actively using or testing the system.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has released a report describing the early positive experience of states in using the electronic match in lieu of complex paperwork requirements to document citizenship. Author Donna Cohen Ross has followed the impact of the citizenship documentation requirement since it was implemented in 2006.

The report is the last publication written in Donna's capacity as Director of Outreach at CBPP. Later this month, Donna will join the staff in the Office of External Affairs at the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS). We are pleased to have another experienced and knowledgeable friend at CMS advocating for the systemic changes and simplification policies that will make a difference in enrolling and retaining all eligible children and individuals in Medicaid and CHIP. We wish Donna the best in her new role and thank her for this final report demonstrating successful strategies to reduce paperwork and make it easier for eligible individuals to secure Medicaid and CHIP coverage.

(Editor's Note:  Donna has been a frequent contributer to this blog and we will really miss her voice on outreach issues.)