Experience of the Five Largest Publicly Traded Companies Operating Medicaid Managed Care Plans During Unwinding April 3, 2024 Issue Brief This brief takes a closer look at the five largest publicly traded companies (also referred to as “parent” firms) operating Medicaid MCOs, which account for half of Medicaid MCO enrollment nationally. This analysis presents the latest enrollment and financial data (through the end of 2023) as well as key takeaways from the firms’ unwinding experience.
SUD Treatment in Medicaid: Variation by Service Type, Demographics, States and Spending March 28, 2024 Issue Brief Substance use disorders contribute to a growing number of deaths, yet they often go undiagnosed and untreated. While nearly three-quarters of Medicaid enrollees with a diagnosed substance use disorder utilized some type of treatment service in 2020, medication treatment rates varied widely, being much lower for alcohol use disorder than opioid use disorder, and lower among Black enrollees and youth compared to their counterparts. Treatment rates varied considerably across states and average Medicaid spending for people with a diagnosed substance use disorder is over twice as high compared to those without a substance use disorder.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Well-Child Visits for Children Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP March 18, 2024 Issue Brief This issue brief examines well-child visit rates overall and for selected characteristics before and after the pandemic began and discusses recent state and federal policy changes that could impact children’s preventive care. More than half of children under age 21 enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP received a well-child visit in 2019, but the share fell to 48% in 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Closer Look at the Remaining Uninsured Population Eligible for Medicaid and CHIP March 15, 2024 Issue Brief This issue brief examines the characteristics of the remaining uninsured population who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP using 2022 national survey data. Despite improvements in coverage, 25.6 million nonelderly people remained uninsured in 2022.
Domestic HIV Funding in the White House FY 2025 Budget Request March 12, 2024 Issue Brief This data note provides details on the FY25 request for domestic HIV programs and comparisons to the FY23 enacted level, where possible.
What to Know About How Medicare Pays Physicians March 6, 2024 Issue Brief In November 2023, CMS finalized a 3.4% decrease in the physician fee schedule conversion factor, a key aspect of payment rates under the Medicare program, resulting in a 1.25% decrease in overall payments that is expected to vary by specialty. This issue brief answers key questions about how physicians are paid under the Medicare program, and reviews policy options under discussion for payment reform.
Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver Watch: A Closer Look at Recent Approvals to Address Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) March 4, 2024 Issue Brief This issue brief provides an overview of how Section 1115 waivers have been used to address the health-related social needs of enrollees, including a summary of recent approvals for eight states.
Section 1115 Waiver Watch: Continuous Eligibility Waivers February 15, 2024 Blog The pandemic continuous enrollment provision and other research show that continuous eligibility reduces Medicaid disenrollment and “churn” rates and helps to ensure stable coverage. As many Medicaid enrollees are currently experiencing disruptions in coverage as a result of the Medicaid unwinding, a number of states are pursuing strategies to help promote continuity of coverage, including through unwinding waivers and Section 1115 demonstration waivers. This Waiver Watch summarizes approved and pending Section 1115 waivers with continuous eligibility provisions for children and adults in Medicaid.
Commercialization of COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments, and Tests: Implications for Access and Coverage February 6, 2024 Issue Brief With the depletion of the federal-purchased supply of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests following the end of the public health emergency, this resource provides an overview of the implications of these changes for access to people covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, as well as those who are uninsured.
Recent Trends in Mental Health and Substance Use Concerns Among Adolescents February 6, 2024 Issue Brief About 1 in 5 adolescents report symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to a KFF analysis of a new federal survey of teen health. The data comes at a time of heightened concern about adolescent mental health and substance use, particularly in light of gun violence and rising drug overdose deaths among young people. This brief explores the state of adolescent mental health in recent years.