Medicaid

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Medicaid is a U.S. government assistance program that provides health care benefits to certain categories of low-income individuals, including children, expectant mothers, senior citizens, and people with certain types of disabilities, primarily those with no health insurance or substandard coverage. Medicaid was first enacted on July 30, 1965, through Title XIX of the Social Security Act. By structure, each individual state presides over its own Medicaid program, while the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provide oversight of the state-run programs, as well as certain mandates for service, quality control, funding expenditures, and eligibility standards.

Medicaid is very different from Medicare, a social insurance program aimed to benefit the elderly and individuals with certain disabilities, with which it is often associated. Unlike Medicare, which is fully funded by the government, Medicaid is jointly funded by federal and state governments and has significantly more eligibility criteria than Medicare, criteria which vary from state to state. As a result, many individuals whose income and financial assets appear to entitle them to Medicaid may not qualify; equally, those who have higher income and greater assets may qualify.

Despite its limitations, Medicaid has significantly improved the health care opportunities for many. Before Medicaid, many individuals saw health care providers only rarely, if at all, and were unable to cover medical costs, whereas those with greater resources or health insurance were able to receive medical attention. Thus, while imperfect, Medicaid has contributed to the development of American society toward a situation of care for all, regardless of their financial situation.

Introduction

Medicaid is the United States health care program for individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states. Among the groups of people served by Medicaid are eligible low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Being poor, or even very poor, does not necessarily qualify an individual for Medicaid. Nor does a middle class or higher income necessarily disqualify from Medicaid benefits.

History and participation

Medicaid was created on July 30, 1965, through Title XIX of the Social Security Act to help individuals who have no medical insurance or poor health insurance. Federal funding does not cover all the costs but rather matches costs incurred by states in paying health care providers. State participation in Medicaid is voluntary; however, all states have participated since 1982, when the last state to join, Arizona, formed the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) program.

States administer their own Medicaid programs, while the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) monitors the state-run programs and establishes requirements for service delivery, quality, funding, and eligibility standards. States set their own standards for eligibility. In some states, Medicaid beneficiaries are required to pay a small fee (co-payment) for medical services.

Each state may have its own name for the program. Examples include "Medi-Cal" in California, "MassHealth" in Massachusetts, and "TennCare" in Tennessee. States may bundle together the administration of Medicaid with other programs such as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), so the same organization that handles Medicaid in a state may also manage those additional programs.

Medicaid does not pay benefits to individuals directly; it sends benefit payments to health care providers. In some states Medicaid is subcontracted to private health insurance companies, while other states pay providers (such as doctors, clinics, and hospitals) directly.

During the 1990s, many states received waivers from the federal government to create Medicaid managed care programs. Under managed care, Medicaid recipients are enrolled in a private health plan, which receives a fixed monthly premium from the state. The health plan is then responsible for providing for all or most of the recipient's health care needs. All but a few states use managed care to provide coverage to a significant proportion of Medicaid enrollees, with approximately 60 percent of enrollees in managed care plans. Core eligibility groups of poor children and parents are most likely to be enrolled in managed care, while the aged and disabled eligibility groups more often remain in traditional "fee for service" Medicaid.

Some states operate a program known as Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP). This program allows a Medicaid recipient to have private health insurance paid for by Medicaid. Often this allows the recipient to have better coverage, and have more doctors available to them. As of 2008 relatively few states had premium assistance programs, and enrollment was relatively low. Interest in this approach remained high, however.

Both the federal government and state governments have made changes to the eligibility requirements and restrictions over the years. In 2005, the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) (Pub.L. No. 109-171) significantly changed the rules governing the treatment of asset transfers and homes of nursing home residents. The DRA also requires that anyone seeking Medicaid must produce documents to prove that he or she is a United States citizen or resident alien.

Services

Medicaid has grown since its founding in 1965 to become a central part of the American health care system. It is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income, covering 44 million low-income individuals in 2001. Medicaid finances health needs throughout the life cycle: From births to nursing home care. It is the "safety net" for low-income and underinsured individuals.

Basic health care services are covered for eligible individuals, with nominal, if any, costs to the beneficiary. Minimally, the following services are covered:

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Physician, midwife, and certified nurse practitioner services
• Laboratory and X-ray services
• Nursing home care and home health care
• Early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) for children under twenty-one years of age
• Family planning
• Rural health clinic/federally qualified health center services

In addition, states have options to cover other services, with matching federal funds, including prescription drugs, clinic services, hearing aids, among others.

Parents and children

Medicaid covered 24 million low-income children, and 9.3 million low-income adults in families with children in 2001. Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) is a mandatory Medicaid program for children that focuses on prevention and early diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

Elderly

Medicaid covered five million adults aged over 65; it is the largest single purchaser of nursing home and long-term adult care in the United States in 2001.

Disabled

The blind and disabled comprised approximately 17 percent of Medicaid recipients in 2001.

Dental services

Dental services are included in Medicaid. These dental services are an optional service for adults above the age of 21; however, this service is a requirement for those eligible for Medicaid and below the age of 21. Dental services must meet standards of dental practice, which are determined by the state. Minimum services should include pain relief, restoration of teeth and maintenance for dental health.

Prescription drugs

The Medicaid Drug Rebate Program was created by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act helped to add Section 1927 to the Social Security Act of 1935 which became effective on January 1, 1991. This program was formed due to the costs that Medicaid programs were paying for outpatient drugs at their discounted prices.

The Veteran's Health Care Act of 1992 (VHCA) became active on November 4, 1992 as it amended Section 1927(a) of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act. This act includes amendments that relate to the coverage of manufacturers' drugs, duplicate payments, and rebate calculations.

The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA '93) amended Section 1927 of the Act as it brought changes to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.

Comparisons with Medicare

Although their names are similar, Medicaid and Medicare are very different programs. Medicaid is a means-tested program that is not solely funded at the federal level. Eligibility is determined by income. States provide up to half of the funding for the Medicaid program. In some states, counties also contribute funds. The main criterion for Medicaid eligibility is limited income and financial resources, a criterion which plays no role in determining Medicare coverage. Medicaid covers a wider range of health care services than Medicare.

Medicare is an entitlement program, primarily for the senior population, funded entirely at the federal level. It is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end stage renal disease. The Medicare program provides a Medicare Part A which covers hospital bills, Medicare Part B which covers medical insurance coverage, and Medicare Part D which covers prescription drugs.

Some individuals are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (also known as Medicare dual eligibles). In 2001, about 6.5 million Americans were enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Eligibility and social issues

The complexities surrounding the availability and eligibility of Medicaid to those in need have caused numerous social concerns, especially regarding individuals who “fall through the cracks.” All Medicaid recipients must have income and resources that fall below specified levels. These levels are determined on a state by state basis. In addition, individuals must be eligible for Medicaid, based on several criteria. For example, childless adults who are neither disabled nor elderly are not eligible.

Thus, having a limited income is one of the primary requirements for Medicaid eligibility, but poverty alone does not qualify a person to receive Medicaid benefits unless they also fall into one of the defined eligibility categories:

Medicaid does not provide medical assistance for all poor persons. Even under the broadest provisions of the Federal statute (except for emergency services for certain persons), the Medicaid program does not provide health care services, even for very poor persons, unless they are in one of the designated eligibility groups."

Although Medicaid is largely perceived as a safety net for the poor and uninsured, specific conditions may qualify or disqualify certain individuals regardless of income level. Certain limitations prevent the program from helping all who view themselves as qualifying for benefits. Budgetary constraints, for example, limit the distribution of benefits to those who fit certain guidelines relating to three distinct qualifiers: category (age and/or disability), income level, and real assets (home value, bank accounts, stocks, and such). There are a number of different Medicaid eligibility categories; within each category there are requirements other than income that must be met. These other requirements include, but are not limited to, age, pregnancy, disability, blindness, income and resources, and one's status as a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. As a result, many individuals may be denied benefits if their income, assets, age, or even the type of illness or disability suffered do not fit state or federal guidelines.

Some middle to high-income individuals may qualify for Medicaid benefits over their lower-income counterparts because their ages, illnesses, or disabilities do happen to fit said guidelines. Medicaid planners typically advise retirees and other individuals facing high nursing home costs to adopt strategies that will protect their financial assets in the event of nursing home admission. State Medicaid programs do not consider the value of one's home in calculating eligibility, therefore it is often recommended that retirees pursue home ownership. By adopting such strategies, many seniors hope they will quickly qualify for Medicaid benefits if the need for long-term care arises. In other words, these individuals may seek Medicaid coverage in order to protect their assets and life savings from being used up by medical bills, including nursing home costs. In an attempt to limit this practice, some states have a “spend down” policy in which higher-income individuals must spend down or decrease their real assets in order to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

Special rules also exist for children. A child may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of the eligibility status of his or her parents or guardians. Thus, a child may be covered under Medicaid if she or he is a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant of the U.S. even if his or her parents are not. Child welfare agencies ensure that foster children, as well as those in adoption placement, are eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Another area of social concern in regards to Medicaid eligibility is that of the underinsured, or people with declining employee sponsored insurance (ESI) whose private coverage, however ineffective, may disqualify them from Medicaid. For this reason, Medicaid initiated the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to ease the health care burden for parents of uninsured or underinsured children. SCHIP may also extend to children of middle to higher-income parents under certain conditions.

Medicaid provides the largest portion of federal money spent for health care on people living with HIV/AIDS. However, people who are HIV positive typically must progress to AIDS before they can qualify under the "disabled" category. This means that they must either pay for the expensive prescribed drugs themselves, depleting their financial resources, or, if they cannot afford the drugs, wait until they experience AIDS symptoms before being eligible for Medicaid. More than half of people living with AIDS are estimated to receive Medicaid payments. Two other programs that provide financial assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS are the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Budget

Unlike Medicare, which is solely a federal program, Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. Each state operates its own Medicaid system, but this system must conform to federal guidelines in order for the state to receive matching funds and grants. The federal matching formula is different from state to state, depending on each state's poverty level. The wealthiest states receive a federal match of 50 percent while poorer states receive a larger match.

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Medicaid funding became a major budgetary issue for many states, with on average, 16.8 percent of state general funds being spent on the program. If the federal match expenditure is also counted, the program, on average, takes up 22 percent of each state's budget.

A major factor contributing to the high, and increasing, costs of Medicaid, has been the increasing cost of long-term care for the elderly. Expenditures in this category have risen for several reasons:

• As the lifespan of most Americans has increased, the number of elderly individuals eligible for Medicaid has likewise risen.
• Advances in medical technology, including expensive diagnostic imaging tests, have caused these costs of medical and long-term care to rise.
• State coverage has been expanded from the minimum benefits package to include optional groups and optional services.

Limits and future of Medicaid

Medicaid is an entitlement program that provides medical coverage to those individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria. Unfortunately, Medicaid does not benefit all individuals in need of it, due to strict qualifications regarding age/disability category, income, and assets. Thus, although Medicaid is an entitlement program, it is only a limited one since many applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Another serious limitation is that eligibility criteria vary from state to state. The health care needs of individuals do not vary depending upon which state they live in, nor does their ability to pay for such care. Yet, geographical disparities in eligibility are inevitable due to the structure of Medicaid.

There are groups of recipients for whom Medicaid is an entitlement, such as recipients of Supplemental Security Income, recipients of the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), pregnant women and poor children. Medicaid also benefits most wards of the state, such as children in group homes, children pending adoption, and foster children. Significantly, Medicaid has reshaped the provision of medical care for many of those who previously saw health care providers less often, if at all, due to lack of health insurance and personal funds.

Thus, despite its limitations, Medicaid has helped millions of uninsured, underinsured, and disabled individuals obtain health care coverage otherwise unaffordable to them. The problem is that there are still many in such a situation who are not eligible for Medicaid. The solution to this, however, lies not just in reforming Medicaid but in the wider issues of health insurance and entitlement programs in general.

Important legislation

• 1965 PL 89-97: Medicaid was established as part of Title XIX of the Social Security Act Amendment.
• 1990 OBRA Federal legislation: the beginnings of the Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP).
• 1993 Medicaid Estate Recovery Mandate: required states to sue the estate of decedents for medical care costs paid by Medicaid
• 1997 PL 105-33: Balanced Budget Act (Children's Health Insurance Program).

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Alker, Joan. Medicaid and the Uninsured. The Kaiser Family Foundation, May 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2008.
• Bove, Alexander A. Jr. The Medicaid Planning Handbook: A Guide to Protecting Your Family's Assets from Catastrophic Nursing Home Costs. Little, Brown, and Company, 1996. ISBN 0316103748.
• Fallon, L. Fleming. "Medicaid." Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery. The Gale Group, Inc, 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
• Green, Rob, Anna S. Sommers, and Mindy Cohen. "Medical Spending on Foster Children." Urban Institute, 2005. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
• Heiser, K. Gabriel. How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets. Phylius Press, 2008. ISBN 0979080134.
• Jost, Timothy Stoltzfus. "The Tenuous Nature Of The Medicaid Entitlement." Project HOPE-The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc., 2003. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
• Rowland, Diane, and Rachel Garfield. "Medicaid." Encyclopedia of Public Health. The Gale Group, Inc, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
• Zuckerman, Stephen, and Allison Cook. "The Role of Medicaid and SCHIP as an Insurance Safety Net." Urban Institute, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2008.

External links

All links retrieved October 8, 2014.

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services official web site
• Historical and Projected Trends in Medicare, Staff Paper of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, October 2006.
• Kaiser Family Foundation - Substantial resources on Medicaid including federal eligibility requirements, benefits, financing and administration.
• State Health Facts Data on health care spending, utilization, and insurance coverage, including details extensive Medicaid information.
• Medicaid information from Families USA
• "Medicaid Research" and "Medicaid Primer" from Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.

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