Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families. It is designed to help people who are unable to afford private health insurance, and is an important source of coverage for many people in the United States.

Medicaid is a means-tested program, which means that eligibility is determined by income and assets. Eligibility levels vary by state, but generally, people with incomes below a certain level are eligible for Medicaid. Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover more people, including adults without children, as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

Benefits covered by Medicaid include:

Inpatient and outpatient hospital services

Primary and preventive care, such as doctor visits and screenings

Prescription drugs

Rehabilitation services

Home health care

Long-term care

Medicaid is administered by the states, but is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. The federal government pays a certain percentage of the cost of each state’s Medicaid program, with the state paying the rest.

Medicaid plays a vital role in the healthcare system, providing health coverage to millions of low-income individuals and families, and helping to reduce the number of uninsured people. It also helps to reduce the financial burden of healthcare costs for those who cannot afford private insurance and can improve access to health care for those who are eligible.