Health insurance is such an important necessity in life, that the government wants everyone to have access to it, no matter your age, race, gender, or your income. Health insurance policies can be expensive, (especially private insurance plans). But a more expensive scenario would be to incur massive medical bills due to unforeseen health issues or an injury, without any coverage. For those who couldn’t afford health insurance, there weren’t many options, until the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, which involved the expansion of the federal and state health benefit plan known as Medicaid.
The Origin of Medicaid
Medicaid is funded by both the government and the state. This jointly funded public health program was first established, along with the Medicare program, in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Originally, Medicaid was only available for those who received cash assistance from the government. It was not only limited to a small group of people, but it only offered basic healthcare needs.
The Evolution of Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act
When Obama took office in 2009, an estimated 44 million were without health insurance. To help more people obtain health coverage, the government created the Affordable Care Act bill, which was signed into the legislature in March 2010. Medicaid expansion would play a significant role in the new bill. And it was the expansion of Medicaid, under the Affordable Care Act, that finally began to close the gap between uninsured Americans, and healthcare coverage.
Before the ACA bill, only a couple of specific groups of people qualified for the Medicaid program. The ACA bill proposed that Medicaid open up the plan to include a wider range of people who could apply for and get coverage under their state-run Medicaid program. The expansion of the Medicaid program was meant to move the program’s goalposts, by broadening the criteria required to meet the requirements of gaining Medicaid coverage. Medicaid was no longer reserved for only those who were receiving government cash benefits, or families with children. Now, the expansion opened the door to affording coverage to many new groups of people, most of whom were adults. The new categories to consider coverage for were to include:
- Pregnant women
- Low-income families
- Disabled individuals of all ages
- Individuals in long-term care
Each state sets its guidelines
Because Medicaid is run by each state, there are many nuances to the benefits that are offered and covered under the program, depending on the collective needs of the community. The federal government allows each state to set its guidelines on services and payouts. People receiving Medicaid benefits will have to find out what their state requirements and guidelines are. If a member moves from one state to another, it’s always important to contact the state’s local social security department and not only notify them of the move but also familiarize themself with their new state’s plan and benefits.
Medicaid after the Affordable Care Act
Due to the expansion under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid now covers more than 1 in 5, (or 71.6 million) Americans living with low income. This is an increase of 14 million people, spanning 49 states that reported on Medicaid enrollment from July 2013 to March 2020.
Due to the increase in enrollment, the program is now responsible for approximately one-fifth of the total amount that’s spent on personal healthcare in the country each year. Much of the higher spending is due to the number of Medicaid recipients who live with complicated health issues and often require expensive, ongoing medical care.
Expanded Services and Facilities
Due to the expansion of the Medicaid plan, Medicaid covers a wider band of services and is accepted at a wider range of healthcare facilities, as well. The physician you see, and the facility you go to must be contracted with Medicaid for them to pay. But members can typically find multiple options in their area, for their healthcare needs. The types of facilities where Medicaid plans are accepted today are:
- Physician’s offices
- Hospitals
- Laboratories
- Nursing homes
- Community health clinics
- Community-based services and support services
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid doesn’t just work alone, anymore. Due to the expansion, it now, bridges with Medicare so low-income elderly citizens have help in meeting their medical expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover. Low-income elderly patients receiving Medicare may qualify for Medicaid benefits to pay expenses, such as Medicare premiums, co-pays, and prescriptions, among other non-covered services. Medicaid bridges the gap, like that of a private, secondary insurance plan that higher-income people often carry.
The ACA Healthcare Requirement
Although Medicaid was a safety net for many people, not all those who qualified applied. The Affordable Care Act required people to have health insurance or be penalized, which boosted Medicaid’s enrollment. As a way of getting more people to take advantage of the new regulations administered to the Medicaid program, Obama’s Affordable Care Act bill required everyone to acquire health insurance, whether it was through the Marketplace and the choices of private plans, or applying for Medicaid if you fell into one of the qualifying categories. Those who did not comply and submit proof of coverage at tax time would be penalized by paying higher taxes (if you owed), or you would see your tax reimbursement cut (if you were due a refund).
For many people, the Affordable Care Act has been a blessing when it comes to getting basic healthcare needs met with little, to no out-of-pocket expenses through the Medicaid plan. Especially those in disparity and unable to afford healthcare or insurance. For others, it has been known to create financial hardship; being required to pay the premiums of a healthcare plan, or be penalized if you don’t.
Overall, the increase in healthcare coverage across the country has had a positive impact on people’s lives, including babies and children, young individuals, low-income families, pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly. No one should have to forego basic healthcare needs due to unpreventable reasons, or economic status. With the expansion of the Medicaid program over the past recent decades, now, fewer people are having to.
Health insurance is such an important necessity in life, that the government wants everyone to have access to it, no matter your age, race, gender, or your income. Health insurance policies can be expensive, (especially private insurance plans). But a more expensive scenario would be to incur massive medical bills due to unforeseen health issues or an injury, without any coverage. For those who couldn’t afford health insurance, there weren’t many options, until the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, which involved the expansion of the federal and state health benefit plan known as Medicaid.
The Origin of Medicaid
Medicaid is funded by both the government and the state. This jointly funded public health program was first established, along with the Medicare program, in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Originally, Medicaid was only available for those who received cash assistance from the government. It was not only limited to a small group of people, but it only offered basic healthcare needs.
The Evolution of Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act
When Obama took office in 2009, an estimated 44 million were without health insurance. To help more people obtain health coverage, the government created the Affordable Care Act bill, which was signed into the legislature in March 2010. Medicaid expansion would play a significant role in the new bill. And it was the expansion of Medicaid, under the Affordable Care Act, that finally began to close the gap between uninsured Americans, and healthcare coverage.
Before the ACA bill, only a couple of specific groups of people qualified for the Medicaid program. The ACA bill proposed that Medicaid open up the plan to include a wider range of people who could apply for and get coverage under their state-run Medicaid program. The expansion of the Medicaid program was meant to move the program’s goalposts, by broadening the criteria required to meet the requirements of gaining Medicaid coverage. Medicaid was no longer reserved for only those who were receiving government cash benefits, or families with children. Now, the expansion opened the door to affording coverage to many new groups of people, most of whom were adults. The new categories to consider coverage for were to include:
- Pregnant women
- Low-income families
- Disabled individuals of all ages
- Individuals in long-term care
Each state sets its guidelines
Because Medicaid is run by each state, there are many nuances to the benefits that are offered and covered under the program, depending on the collective needs of the community. The federal government allows each state to set its guidelines on services and payouts. People receiving Medicaid benefits will have to find out what their state requirements and guidelines are. If a member moves from one state to another, it’s always important to contact the state’s local social security department and not only notify them of the move but also familiarize themself with their new state’s plan and benefits.
Medicaid after the Affordable Care Act
Due to the expansion under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid now covers more than 1 in 5, (or 71.6 million) Americans living with low income. This is an increase of 14 million people, spanning 49 states that reported on Medicaid enrollment from July 2013 to March 2020.
Due to the increase in enrollment, the program is now responsible for approximately one-fifth of the total amount that’s spent on personal healthcare in the country each year. Much of the higher spending is due to the number of Medicaid recipients who live with complicated health issues and often require expensive, ongoing medical care.
Expanded Services and Facilities
Due to the expansion of the Medicaid plan, Medicaid covers a wider band of services and is accepted at a wider range of healthcare facilities, as well. The physician you see, and the facility you go to must be contracted with Medicaid for them to pay. But members can typically find multiple options in their area, for their healthcare needs. The types of facilities where Medicaid plans are accepted today are:
- Physician’s offices
- Hospitals
- Laboratories
- Nursing homes
- Community health clinics
- Community-based services and support services
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid doesn’t just work alone, anymore. Due to the expansion, it now, bridges with Medicare so low-income elderly citizens have help in meeting their medical expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover. Low-income elderly patients receiving Medicare may qualify for Medicaid benefits to pay expenses, such as Medicare premiums, co-pays, and prescriptions, among other non-covered services. Medicaid bridges the gap, like that of a private, secondary insurance plan that higher-income people often carry.
The ACA Healthcare Requirement
Although Medicaid was a safety net for many people, not all those who qualified applied. The Affordable Care Act required people to have health insurance or be penalized, which boosted Medicaid’s enrollment. As a way of getting more people to take advantage of the new regulations administered to the Medicaid program, Obama’s Affordable Care Act bill required everyone to acquire health insurance, whether it was through the Marketplace and the choices of private plans, or applying for Medicaid if you fell into one of the qualifying categories. Those who did not comply and submit proof of coverage at tax time would be penalized by paying higher taxes (if you owed), or you would see your tax reimbursement cut (if you were due a refund).
For many people, the Affordable Care Act has been a blessing when it comes to getting basic healthcare needs met with little, to no out-of-pocket expenses through the Medicaid plan. Especially those in disparity and unable to afford healthcare or insurance. For others, it has been known to create financial hardship; being required to pay the premiums of a healthcare plan, or be penalized if you don’t.
Overall, the increase in healthcare coverage across the country has had a positive impact on people’s lives, including babies and children, young individuals, low-income families, pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly. No one should have to forego basic healthcare needs due to unpreventable reasons, or economic status. With the expansion of the Medicaid program over the past recent decades, now, fewer people are having to.
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