In this brief, we analyze third quarter data from 2018 to 2020 to examine how insurance markets performed financially through the end of September. Average margins remained relatively high compared to the same point in recent years, suggesting many insurers remained profitable even as non-COVID-related care returned in the summer and fall.

This data note looks at state Medicaid managed care enrollment data through September 2020 to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis on Medicaid enrollment. Data collected for 30 states show Medicaid managed care enrollment increased to 11.3% from March 2020 through September 2020. The rate accelerated from the 4.1% reported for 27 states from March 2020 through May 2020 and reversed trends from March 2019 to March 2020 when aggregate growth declined. These trends mirror national enrollment trends that show enrollment growth has been accelerating post-pandemic.

On November 13, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized revisions to the Medicaid managed care regulations which were proposed in November 2018. CMS previously finalized a major revision to these regulations in 2016. The November 2020 final rule is not a wholesale revision of the 2016 regulations but adopts changes in areas including network adequacy, beneficiary protections, quality oversight, and rates and payment.

This brief describes key themes related to the use of comprehensive, risk-based managed care in the Medicaid program and highlights data and trends related to MCO enrollment, service carve-ins, spending, MCO parent firms, provider rates, and state and plan activity related to quality, value-based payments, and the social determinants of health. It also provides important context for the role MCOs play in the Medicaid program overall as well as during the current COVID-19 public health emergency and related economic downturn.

This report provides an in-depth examination of the changes taking place in Medicaid programs across the country. The findings are drawn from the 20th annual budget survey of Medicaid officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia conducted by KFF and Health Management Associates (HMA), in collaboration with the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD). This report focuses on Medicaid policy changes planned for FY 2021, particularly those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This brief provides an overview of how Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) capitation rates are developed by states and approved by CMS, highlights options available to states to adjust current rates and/or risk sharing mechanisms, describes how MCOs pay providers, and outlines state options to direct MCO payments to providers in response to conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attention to high list prices continues at both the state and federal levels with a number of policy proposals aimed at lowering drug prices and there is renewed interest in drug prices and reimbursement within Medicaid. Changes made in 2016 to federal rules governing how state Medicaid programs pay for drugs aimed to make the prices paid more accurate, but increased reliance on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) pose challenges to drug price transparency. This brief explains Medicaid prescription drug prices to help policymakers and others understand Medicaid’s role in drug pricing and any potential consequences of policy changes for the program.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to promote state adoption of work and reporting requirements as a condition of Medicaid eligibility for certain nonelderly adults, although several such waivers have been set aside by federal courts. While most Medicaid adults are already working, some states and health plans have developed voluntary work support programs for nonelderly adults who qualify for Medicaid through non-disability pathways. These programs offer services that support work without conditioning Medicaid eligibility on having a job. This brief examines opportunities for and limitations on federal and state support of such programs, highlights several state and health plan initiatives, and explores their common themes.

States are limited in their leverage when it comes to controlling drug spending and use a variety of strategies to manage utilization, including an increased reliance on managed care and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). As policymakers debate proposals that include provisions related to Medicaid pharmacy benefits, it is important to understand the challenges state Medicaid programs face and how policy proposals may impact Medicaid beneficiaries and costs.

This interactive provides state-by-state data on Medicaid delivery system and payment reform initiatives. Users can track state Medicaid managed care, patient-centered medical home (PCMH), Health Home, Accountable Care Organization (ACO), and Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) waiver activity.