Navigating Medicaid Coverage and Care Shouldn’t Be So Hard

Medicaid provides health care insurance and health care services for more than 85 million eligible adults, children, pregnant people, elderly adults, and people with disabilities who have low income. Unfortunately for many families and individuals who are eligible for Medicaid, the processes involved in enrolling, maintaining enrollment, and finally accessing care can often feel overwhelming. While rigorous standards and standardized processes provide accountability for the administration of government services, barriers to Medicaid enrollment and care are associated with substantial negative health outcomes. These include avoidable hospitalizations for common conditions such as asthma and diabetes and delays in needed medical care, prescriptions, and dental services. When the stakes are this high, there has to be a way to ensure people can get the care they need. Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has placed a renewed focus on monitoring and improving access

Medicaid provides health care insurance and health care services for more than 85 million eligible adults, children, pregnant people, elderly adults, and people with disabilities who have low income. Unfortunately for many families and individuals who are eligible for Medicaid, the processes involved in enrolling, maintaining enrollment, and finally accessing care can often feel overwhelming. While rigorous standards and standardized processes provide accountability for the administration of government services, barriers to Medicaid enrollment and care are associated with substantial negative