The Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research has released a new policy brief that explores recent changes in Missouri Medicaid enrollment under the disability category, which has important implications for the state’s general revenue budget. The policy brief provides evidence that is consistent with the theory that some new applicants who might have otherwise sought coverage as permanently and totally disabled individuals are applying instead under the expansion category that was created in 2021 because it is an easier and quicker path to obtaining coverage. As a result, approximately 54% of the state’s cost related to Medicaid expansion is directly offset due to individuals choosing to apply under the expansion category rather than disability.
This is the second Medicaid policy brief in a new series produced by the Medicaid Policy Analysis Lab of the Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research. The first policy brief describes characteristics of Medicaid recipients, including work status in Missouri and the U.S. – important context for the current policy debate about potential work requirements for Medicaid recipients. Related policy briefs will be released in the coming weeks.