Medicaid’s really important – even/especially to you.

Welcome back to MCM; I took a few days off posting to hit the campaign trail, where I heard a LOT of concern about possible changes to Medicaid.

Most of us probably don’t think much about Medicaid. Here’s why we should.

First, Medicaid covers the poor elderly, those who are totally disabled, and depending on the state, poor kids and families.

Second, many are really sick people or frail elderly with no other way to get healthcare.

• Most of Medicaid’s spending is for the elderly and totally disabled.
• Medicaid pays for the majority of long-term care services including at-home care and nursing home services in the US
• Almost 2/3rds of nursing home residents are covered by Medicaid
• A third of the people treated for opioid addiction are covered by Medicaid and CHIP
• Almost half of the people on Medicaid have a functional limitation, a quarter are in poor or fair health.

 

Medicaid reimbursement is generally low compared to private insurance or Medicare, but that doesn’t mean access is severely limited. In fact, (about 70% of physicians do accept new Medicaid patients versus about 85% who accept new privately insured and Medicare patients) (ESI is employer insurance)

Article source:Managed Care Matters