Which states offer the best Medicaid benefits? (2024)

Medicaid provides healthcare coverage for around 82 million people across the United States and has been expanded in most states by President Biden. The huge insurance programme is jointly funded by state and federal governments, and was introduced to provide coverage for those who could not otherwise afford health insurance.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia and all US territories offer Medicaid coverage to residents, but the exact terms of the coverage can vary greatly. Some states choose to add additional programmes to supplement the base model, while 12 states chose not to expand their programmes earlier this year, leaving milllions without coverage.

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The federally mandated services include:

  • Inpatient hospital services
  • EPSDT, for those younger than 21
  • FQHC services
  • Family planning services
  • Emergency and nonemergency medical transportation
  • Pregnancy-related services
  • Nursing facility care, for those aged 21 or older
  • Physician services
  • Home health

Which states are the best for Medicaid health insurance?

Different states are able to fund their Medicaid programmes to different levels so the quality and availability of coverage can vary. An analysis by WalletHub found that the five states who ranked highest on Medicaid spending were:

  1. Massachusetts
  2. Minnesota
  3. California
  4. Vermont
  5. Rhode Island

However when it comes to the actual service on offer, the top five was very different. Healthcare Insider has compiled a full breakdown of the best places for Medicaid coverage, drawing together data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Kaiser Family Foundation; Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission; and Opportunity Insights.

.@SenatorWarnock on expanding Medicaid: "I believe healthcare is a human right and if you believe healthcare is a human right, you don't believe it's a human right in just 38 states." pic.twitter.com/rBb8JvGTal

— The Hill (@thehill) September 26, 2021

The study combined 13 metrics across three categories: cost; access; and quality, to produce a score out of 100 for the programme in each state. Their research produced a top five states for Medicaid provision:

  1. Connecticut
  2. New York
  3. California
  4. Massachusetts
  5. Minnesota

The overall winner, Connecticut, was not the highest ranked in any of the three categories, but came out second-best in terms of both the cost of coverage and the breadth of access on offer. Second-placed New York was ranked the best for price but was placed lower for quality and access, seventh and eighth respectively.

In terms of the best quality on offer, Hawaii came out on top in the nation-wide study, scoring 0.16 higher than Connecticut. The top five best states in terms of Medicaid quality was completed by California, Massachusetts and Oregon.

At the other end of the scale South Dakota received the lowest overall score and was also ranked third-worst for access to coverage, for which neighbouring North Dakota finished bottom. In terms of the quality of the coverage it was Oklahoma who scored the worst with a score of just 2.94 out of a possible 33.33.

Which states offer the best Medicaid benefits? (2024)

FAQs

Which states offer the best Medicaid benefits? ›

The top five best states in terms of Medicaid quality was completed by California, Massachusetts and Oregon. At the other end of the scale South Dakota received the lowest overall score and was also ranked third-worst for access to coverage, for which neighbouring North Dakota finished bottom.

Which state has the best Medicaid coverage? ›

The top five best states in terms of Medicaid quality was completed by California, Massachusetts and Oregon. At the other end of the scale South Dakota received the lowest overall score and was also ranked third-worst for access to coverage, for which neighbouring North Dakota finished bottom.

What state has the highest Medicaid limit? ›

The state with the highest Medicaid income limit is Alaska, where households of eight people must have a maximum income of less than $77,526.

What state has the best low income healthcare? ›

  • Hawaii. #1 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Vermont. #2 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Massachusetts. #3 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Iowa. #4 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • South Dakota. #5 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Rhode Island. #6 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Minnesota. #6 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Maine.

What state has the best Medicare for seniors? ›

  • Alaska. #1 in Medicare Quality. #45 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Alabama. #2 in Medicare Quality. #44 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Louisiana. #3 in Medicare Quality. ...
  • Kentucky. #4 in Medicare Quality. ...
  • Georgia. #5 in Medicare Quality. ...
  • Pennsylvania. #6 in Medicare Quality. ...
  • Wyoming. #7 in Medicare Quality. ...
  • Tennessee. #8 in Medicare Quality.

What state has the best government healthcare? ›

Among states, Hawaii ranks No. 1 overall for healthcare, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual best states rankings published May 7.

Which states have the best Medicaid reimbursem*nt rates? ›

Ten states with the highest Medicaid reimbursem*nt rates, as a percentage of a weighted national average Medicaid reimbursem*nt for the same procedure:
  • Nebraska: 234 percent.
  • Alaska: 226 percent.
  • Arkansas: 185 percent.
  • Montana: 173 percent.
  • Arizona: 147 percent.
  • Delaware: 141 percent.
  • Virginia: 140 percent (tie)
Apr 17, 2023

Do any U.S. states have free healthcare? ›

The U.S. is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and a significant proportion of its population lacks health insurance.

What health insurance is good in all 50 states? ›

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Healthcare coverage is one of the most important decisions you make. Choose the card that opens doors in all 50 states.

What is the best state to live in for low income? ›

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the states with the most affordable housing costs. The state also has a number of financial assistance programs through staples like SNAP and WIC, as well as local nonprofit Bethel Foundation for single mothers and young children.

What state has the best doctors? ›

In 2024, Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska are the best states for practicing medicine, while Hawaii, Rhode Island and New Jersey are the most difficult, according to WalletHub's recently released list of the best and worst states for physicians.

What state helps seniors the most? ›

Minnesota and Washington are the states that provide the best services and supports for frail older adults, younger people with disabilities, and their families, according to a new study by AARP.

What is the healthiest state for seniors? ›

Utah is the healthiest state in the nation for older adults in 2024, according to the United Health Foundation's 12th annual "America's Health Rankings Senior Report." The May 30 report provides a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of Americans 65 and older.

Who is the largest Medicaid provider in the US? ›

Five For-Profit, Publicly Traded Companies Have Half of the Medicaid MCO Market.
  • Centene. 20%
  • Anthem* 11%
  • UnitedHealth Group. 9%
  • Molina. 6%
  • Aetna/CVS* 3%
  • 10 Other Multi-State Parent Firms. 12%
  • 128 Local / Regional MCOs. 38%
Apr 3, 2024

Do any US states have free healthcare? ›

The U.S. is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and a significant proportion of its population lacks health insurance.

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