Addressing Continuous Coverage through Medicaid

According to a recent study by the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), determining health care coverage in Medicaid on a yearly basis would reduce health care costs as opposed to coverage based on monthly income. By basing eligibility on a monthly basis, people with fluctuating income levels month to month can qualify one month and then disqualify another. The CBPP study entitled “Continuous Eligibility Keeps People Insured and Reduces Costs” revealed that when people lose Medicaid coverage and then re-enroll, the delays in screening, detection, and treatment of cancer can be detrimental. In turn, with worsened health conditions from such delays means higher cost care in the long run.