Medicaid
Coronavirus
A Look at How Medicaid Agencies Are Assisting with the COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out
Our recent survey of Medicaid directors finds that nearly all responding state Medicaid agencies (29 of 32) are involved in at least one COVID-19 vaccine roll-out activity, including partnering with public health agencies, technical assistance to providers and outreach to Medicaid enrollees. Many Medicaid agencies are also taking actions to assist with vaccine roll-out to enrollees needing long-term services & supports in the community and non-nursing home institutions.
- Homelessness
COVID-19 Risks and Vaccine Access for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Key Issues to Consider
People experiencing homelessness are already at higher risk for COVID-19 due to underlying health risks and other factors, while homelessness itself creates barriers to meeting social distancing guidelines and accessing testing and treatment.This brief explores issues related to risks related to COVID-19, vaccine priority in state plans, and other policy options that affect access to vaccines for people experiencing homelessness. - Tracker
Medicaid Emergency Authority Tracker: Approved State Actions to Address COVID-19
Information on approved Medicaid emergency authorities to address the COVID-19 Coronavirus emergency. We include details on Medicaid Disaster Relief State Plan Amendments (SPAs), other Medicaid and CHIP SPAs, and other state-reported administrative actions; Section 1115 Waivers; Section 1135 Waivers; and 1915 (c) Waiver Appendix K strategies. - LTSS
State Variation in Medicaid LTSS Policy Choices and Implications for Upcoming Policy Debates
Our review of a range of measures, beyond waiver waiting lists, finds substantial state variation in adoption of policies to expand Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities, with states’ ACA expansion status not a strong predictor of policy choices related to seniors and people with disabilities. Understanding current state-level variation in Medicaid eligibility, spending, and services for seniors and people with disabilities is important to inform upcoming policy debates. - People With Disabilities
COVID-19 Vaccine Access for People with Disabilities
Many nonelderly people with disabilities who rely on long-term care services and supports (LTSS) face COVID-19 risks similar to those of the elderly in nursing homes. At least 6,500 people have died from COVID-19 in settings such as group and personal care homes and adult day care programs, but with varied state reporting, this is an incomplete picture of how nonelderly people with disabilities have been affected. People who rely on LTSS outside of nursing homes include adults with a variety of conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, serious mental illness and traumatic brain injuries. - HCBS
Potential Impact of Additional Federal Funds for Medicaid HCBS for Seniors and People with Disabilities
A provision in the American Rescue Plan Act could boost federal matching money for state spending on Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) by an estimated $11.4B over the next year. We analyze what that could mean for each state.
Medicaid HCBS help seniors and people with disabilities and chronic illnesses live independently outside institutions by assisting with daily needs. They include home health aide services, assistance with self-care tasks such as eating or bathing, supportive housing, and assistive technology.
Medicaid Budget Survey
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Medicaid Spending and Enrollment Trends Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic – Updated for FY 2021 & Looking Ahead to FY 2022
The public health and economic effects of the pandemic continue to put pressure on Medicaid spending and enrollment. State Medicaid agencies expect overall FY 2021 enrollment to exceed original projections (30 of 37 responding states). Two-thirds of states with updated projections for FY 2021 expect total Medicaid spending to exceed original projections. State projections for FY 2022 were mixed if spending growth would be higher or lower relative to FY 2021
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State Medicaid Programs Respond to Meet COVID-19 Challenges: Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey
Our annual in-depth, state-specific examination of policy changes and initiatives in Medicaid programs find that this year many involve responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We present the latest on eligibility and enrollment, provider rates, delivery systems, long-term services and supports, pharmacy actions, benefits, cost-sharing, telehealth and more.
LTC & COVID-19
Long-TERM CARE and COVID
New COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities Are Dropping Following the Introduction of Vaccines
The number of residents contracting and dying of COVID-19 in nursing homes has declined markedly following the introduction of vaccination efforts in long-term care facilities. Resident deaths from COVID-19 in nursing homes have decreased by two-thirds (66%) since vaccination efforts began in late December. New cases of the novel coronavirus among residents have fallen even more sharply, by 83%. Is the end of the long-term care crisis within sight?
Medicaid Work Requirements
Work Among Medicaid Adults: Implications of Economic Downturn and Work Requirements
Most (63%) of the 22 million adults with Medicaid coverage in the U.S. who are not eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and who do not receive federal disability payments, were already working full- or part-time prior to the pandemic, according to the most recent data available. Among those not working, caregiving responsibilities were a primary reason, as well as illness, disability or school attendance. The industries in which many Medicaid enrollees work, including construction, restaurants, and food services, have been among those hit hardest by the pandemic.
ACA MEDICAID EXPANSION
New Incentive for States to Adopt the ACA Medicaid Expansion: Implications for State Spending
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 encourages non-expansion states to take up the expansion by providing an additional temporary fiscal incentive for states to newly implement the ACA Medicaid expansion. This brief provides illustrative estimates of the net fiscal benefit to states from these incentives relative to state costs under the expansion.
Prescription Drugs
Fact Sheets
Medicaid Pharmacy Benefits State Fact Sheets
Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid drug coverage both for treating acute problems and for managing ongoing chronic or disabling conditions. Though optional, all states provide pharmacy benefit coverage in Medicaid and administer the benefit in different ways within federal guidelines. Our state fact sheets offer a snapshot of the administration and delivery of Medicaid pharmacy benefits in each state. They are based on data from a survey of states conducted between June and December 2019.
- Tracker
Medicaid Waiver Tracker: Approved and Pending Section 1115 Waivers by State
Bookmark our Medicaid waiver tracker page for the latest information on pending and approved Section 1115 Medicaid waivers. - What to Watch
Medicaid: What to Watch in 2021
Medicaid covers 1 in 5 low-income Americans, including many with complex and costly needs for care. - Data Collection
Medicaid Managed Care Market Tracker
Sixty-nine percent of Medicaid beneficiaries nationally get care through managed care organizations. Get state-level, MCO-level and parent firm-level data. - Managed Care
10 Things to Know About Medicaid Managed Care
53.9 million Medicaid beneficiaries (69%) received their care through comprehensive risk-based managed care organizations (MCOs), as of July 2018. In FY 2019, payments made to Medicaid MCOs accounted for about 46% of the nearly $604 billion that states and the federal government spent on Medicaid services that year.
- Survey
Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility and Enrollment Policies as of January 2021: Findings from a 50-State Survey
Our 19th annual survey of Medicaid and CHIP program officials provides data on eligibility levels in every state. It also examines key aspects of state enrollment and renewal procedures in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
