Medicaid

new and noteworthy

10 Things to Know About Medicaid Managed Care

Our updated explainer provides an overview of comprehensive managed care, the most common way states deliver Medicaid services to enrollees.

More on Medicaid Managed Care

Medicaid: What to Watch in 2026

In this brief, KFF explores how state fiscal pressures are likely to converge with the implementation of the 2025 reconciliation law to affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access to care over the next year, especially leading up to the midterm elections.

CMS’ New Approach to Federal Medicaid Spending in Cases of Potential Fraud

What to Know About the BALANCE Model for GLP-1s

Recent Trends in Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drugs and Spending

5 Facts: Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Featuring policy research, polling and news about how Medicaid is changing, and the impact of those changes due to the tax and spending cuts law

Medicaid Work Requirements

Tracking Medicaid Work Requirements:
Data and Policies

To implement Medicaid work requirements, states will need to make important policy and operational decisions, implement needed system upgrades or changes, develop new outreach and education strategies, and hire and train staff, all within a relatively short timeframe. The information tracked here can serve as a resource to understand Medicaid work requirements and state options, gauge readiness, and track implementation of the requirements.

California’s Plans to Implement Work Requirements Amid Major Budget Shortfalls and Cuts in Federal Medicaid Funding

A Closer Look at Nebraska, the First State Planning to Implement a Medicaid Work Requirement

A Closer Look at the Work Requirement Provisions in the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation Law

On July 4, President Trump signed into law a budget reconciliation package once called the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” that includes significant changes to the Medicaid program. This issue brief provides an overview of the Medicaid work requirement provisions.

The Intersection of SNAP and Medicaid as States Implement Medicaid Work Requirements

understanding medicaid

Medicaid Financing

Medicaid represents $1 out of every $5 spent on health care in the U.S. and is the major source of financing for states to provide health coverage and long-term care. This brief examines key questions about Medicaid financing and how it works.

Medicaid and Provider Taxes

All states except Alaska cover some state Medicaid costs with taxes on health care providers. This brief uses data from KFF’s 2024-2025 survey of Medicaid directors to describe current practices and the federal rules governing them.

5 Facts: Medicaid and Hospitals

Absorbing reductions in Medicaid spending could be challenging for hospitals, particularly for those that are financially vulnerable. This brief provides data on the reach of Medicaid across hospitals, patients, and charity care.

Medicaid Home Care in 2025

This issue brief provides an overview of what Medicaid home care (also known as “home- and community-based services”) is, who is covered, and what services were available in 2025.

5 Facts: Medicaid Program Integrity

This brief explains what is known about improper payments and fraud and abuse in Medicaid and describes ongoing state and federal actions to address program integrity.

Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies
KFF's survey findings capture state actions that seek to improve the accuracy and efficiency of Medicaid and CHIP enrollment and renewal processes, as of January 2025.
Seniors and People with Disabilities
More than 1 in 3 people with disabilities (15 million) have Medicaid (35%). In comparison, only 19% of people without disabilities have Medicaid.
Children with Special Needs
Amid debates about proposed cuts to federal Medicaid spending, this brief analyzes key characteristics of children with special health care needs and explores how Medicaid provides them with coverage.
People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Among the estimated 8 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), over three million have Medicaid coverage.
Adults with Chronic Conditions
Among working age adults enrolled in Medicaid, approximately three quarters have one or more chronic conditions, and nearly one-third have three or more.