1 in 5 Americans are on Medicaid. Some enrollees have no idea

By Anna Claire Vollers, Stateline

Some Americans who rely on Medicaid to pay for their health care don’t realize their insurance is funded by that very program, which congressional Republicans are looking to shrink.

One reason is that state programs aren’t always called “Medicaid.” Many states have rebranded their programs with consumer-friendly names such as SoonerCare in Oklahoma, Apple Health in Washington, Medi-Cal in California, or TennCare in Tennessee. Additionally, nearly all states now use private insurance companies such as UnitedHealth or Blue Cross Blue Shield to run their Medicaid programs. This branding can distance recipients from the fact that their care is paid for with public funds.

Key Findings

• About 72 million people, or a fifth of all the people living in the United States, are enrolled in Medicaid.
• Many Medicaid enrollees mistakenly believe they’re uninsured due to lack of awareness about the program’s branding and funding.
• During the pandemic, the gap between the number of people who have Medicaid and those who think they have it jumped to about 18.5 million people.

Quotes

“We toss around terms like ‘Medicaid,’ but we see so many of our patients not having [insurance cards or] anything that describes or uses the word ‘Medicaid,’” said Dr. Adam Brown, a Washington, D.C.-based emergency physician.

“Millions of people who are enrolled in Medicaid mistakenly believe they’re uninsured,” added Dr. Ben Sommers, a Harvard health economist and physician.

Conclusion

Medicaid is a vital program for millions of Americans, yet its branding and administration often leave beneficiaries unaware of their enrollment. As debates over funding cuts continue, understanding and awareness of Medicaid’s role in public health are crucial.

Source: PBS News

Image: Getty Images