Covid-19 and Medicaid Enrollment in the Great Plains Region

In an earlier commentary, we examined the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on enrollment in Medicaid, the national medical insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment increases during economic downturns. Weak economic conditions translate into more unemployment, more people without job-based health insurance, more people with lower household incomes, and more people who can qualify for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. This is in contrast to periods of expanding economic activity, when Medicaid enrollment tends to stagnate and even decline.

Like previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced economic contraction during 2020 has precipitated an expansion in Medicaid enrollment.  Moreover, agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state anticipate still more growth in enrollment in coming months.  After recent years of stagnant enrollment numbers, every region of the U.S. has witnessed gains in Medicaid enrollment since the Covid-19 pandemic began. In the seven-state Great Plains region, the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak has been more severe than in other sections of the country, as Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 7.1% during the first half of 2020, much more than the 6.5% enrollment growth nationally during the same period. Here's a summary look at Medicaid enrollment growth in the Great Plains region as Covid-19 spread during the first half of 2020:

Covid-19 and Medicaid Enrollment in the Great Plains Region

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
IA	628.2	600.1		4.7%
KS	343.0	319.2		7.5%
MN	1,097.7	1,039.4		5.6%
MO	900.4	811.6		10.9%
NE	224.2	212.2		5.7%
ND	96.2	87.7		9.8%
SD	99.9	93.5		6.8%
Region	3,389.7	3,163.7		7.1%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

Covid-19's Impact on Medicaid Enrollment in the Rocky Mountain Region

In a prior commentary, we examined the impact of Covid-19 on enrollment in Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment expands during periods of economic hardship. A weak economy produces more unemployment, more people without work-related medical insurance, more people with lower household incomes, and more people who meet eligibility requirements for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. In contrast, when the U.S. economy is strong Medicaid enrollment growth tends to slow or even decline.

As in previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced recession has precipitated an increase in Medicaid enrollment. And agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state are forecasting still more enrollment growth in the months ahead. Every region of the U.S. has witnessed growth in its Medicaid enrollment numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic began. In the Rocky Mountain states, Covid-19's impact on Medicaid enrollment has been more severe than in most regions of the country, as enrollment numbers in the five-state region grew 7.1%, as compared to 6.5% nationally, during the first half of 2020. Here's a summary look at the Covid-19's impact on Medicaid enrollment growth in the Rocky Mountain region during the first six months of 2020:

Covid-19's Impact on Medicaid Enrollment in the Rocky Mountain Region

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
CO	1,284.2	1,204.0		6.7%
ID	319.0	285.4		11.8%
MT	225.1	231.6		-2.8%
UT	305.6	271.8		12.4%
WY	56.3	51.8		8.7%
Region	2,190.2	2,044.5		7.1%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

Covid-19 and Medicaid Enrollment in the Great Lakes Region

In a prior commentary, we examined the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on enrollment in Medicaid, the national health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment increases during economic downturns. Soft economic conditions create more unemployment, more people without workplace health insurance, more people with reduced household incomes, and more people eligible for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. This is in contrast to periods of robust economic activity, when enrollment tends to drop off and even decline.

Like previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced contraction of economic activity has sparked a jump in Medicaid enrollment.  Agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state anticipate still more growth in enrollment in coming months.  After recent years of stagnant enrollment numbers, every region of the U.S. has realized gains in Medicaid enrollment since the Covid-19 outbreak began. In the five-state Great Lakes region, the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak has been more severe than in other sections of the country, as Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 7.9% during the first half of 2020, much more than the 6.5% enrollment growth nationally during the same period. Here's a summary look at Medicaid enrollment growth at the state and regional level in the Great Lakes region as Covid-19 spread during the first half of 2020:

Covid-19 and Medicaid Enrollment in the Great Lakes Region

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
IL	2,725.2	2,553.4		6.7%
IN	1,516.2	1,376.6		10.1%
MI	2,410.5	2,258.1		6.7%
OH	2,626.1	2,414.0		8.8%
WI	1,062.5	977.6		8.7%
GL Only	10,340.5	9,579.7		7.9%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

The Covid-19 Outbreak and Medicaid Enrollment in New England

In a previous commentary, we examined the impact of Covid-19 on enrollment in Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment increases during economically difficult periods. Weak economic periods produce more unemployment, more people without job-related health insurance, more people in lower household incomes, and more people with eligibility for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. Conversely, during strong economic periods Medicaid enrollment tends to drop off or decline.

As in previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced recession has sparked an increase in Medicaid enrollment. Moreover, agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state now forecast still more enrollment growth in the months ahead. Every region of the U.S. has experienced growth in its Medicaid enrollment numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic began. In the New England states, Covid-19's impact on Medicaid enrollment has been less severe than in other sections of the country. That said, after several years of stagnant enrollment numbers, in the first half of 2020 Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 5.6%, as compared to 6.5% nationally. Here's a summary look at the Covid-19 outbreak and Medicaid enrollment growth in New England during the first half of 2020:

The Covid-19 Outbreak and Medicaid Enrollment in New England

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
CT	865.5	826.7		4.7%
MA	1,440.1	1,370.6		5.1%
ME	222.5	209.7		6.1%
NH	181.7	166.4		9.2%
RI	279.2	259.9		7.4%
VT	158.3	146.2		8.3%
NE Only	3,147.4	2,979.5		5.6%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

The Covid-19 Pandemic and Medicaid Enrollment in the Southwest

Thanks to strong economic conditions in recent years prior to 2020, Medicaid, the nation's health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources, had been experiencing a slight downtrend in enrollment. Medicaid agencies, which administer the program in each state, anticipated more of the same in 2020. Those expectations quickly changed as the Covid-19 outbreak, which began in China in late 2019, began spreading across the nation. Before the new year was even a month old, U.S. officials had declared a public health emergency and soon thereafter efforts to bring the outbreak under control began. Americans soon discovered that measures to control the spread of Covid-19 had a terrible byproduct: an unprecedent, and still ongoing, disruption of business activity and widespread economic hardship for millions. In contrast to pre-pandemic expectations of minimal enrollment growth, between widespread economic hardship for many individuals and federal efforts to support health insurance coverage during a public health crisis, Medicaid rolls surged during the first half of 2020.   The most recently published Medicaid enrollment data, which is current as of 7/1/20, reveals national enrollment growth of 6.5%, or more than 4 million people, since the beginning of 2020. Given the extent of the economic hardships and the uncertainty about the duration of such conditions, Medicaid agencies now forecast still more growth in enrollment in the current fiscal year that began this past July.  

Every region of the U.S. has seen a bump in its Medicaid enrollment numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic began. In the four-state Southwest region, the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak has been the most severe of any region in the country.  During the first half of 2020, Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 8.9%, as compared to the 6.5% enrollment growth nationally. Here's a quick look at Medicaid enrollment growth at the state and regional level in the Southwest during the first half of 2020:

The Covid-19 Pandemic and Medicaid Enrollment in the Southwest

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
AZ	1,754.6	1,605.9		9.3%
NM	742.2	706.1		5.1%
OK	680.4	600.2		13.4%
TX	3,931.2	3,617.1		8.7%
SW Only	7,108.3	6,529.3		8.9%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

Covid-19's Impact on Medicaid Enrollment in the MidEast Region

In a previous commentary, we examined the impact of Covid-19 on enrollment in Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment increases during periods of economic hardship. Weak economic conditions produce more unemployment, more people without work-related health insurance, more people in lower income households, and more people who are eligible for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. Conversely, enrollment tends to drop off or decline when the economy is robust and expanding.

As in previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced recession has sparked a jump in Medicaid enrollment. Moreover, agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state now forecast still more enrollment growth in the months ahead. Every region of the U.S. has experienced a jump in its Medicaid enrollment numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic began. In the MidEast region, Covid-19's impact on Medicaid enrollment has been less severe than in other sections of the country. That said, after several years of stagnant enrollment numbers, in the first half of 2020 Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 5.8%, as compared to 6.5% nationally. Here's a quick look at Medicaid enrollment growth at the state and regional level in the MidEast region during the first half of 2020:

Covid-19's Impact on Medicaid Enrollment in the MidEast Region

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
DE	230.7	219.0		5.3%
DC	232.9	235.4		-1.1%
MD	1,245.0	1,188.2		4.8%
NJ	1,548.5	1,474.0		5.1%
NY	5,750.8	5,397.6		6.5%
PA	2,914.5	2,755.4		5.8%
ME Only	11,922.3	11,269.6		5.8%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

Covid-19 and Medicaid Enrollment in the Far West Region

In an earlier commentary, we examined the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on enrollment in Medicaid, the national health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment increases during economic downturns. Soft economic conditions create more unemployment, more people without employer-sponsored health insurance, more people with lower household incomes, and more people who qualify for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. This is in contrast to periods of robust economic activity, when enrollment tends to drop off and even decline.

Like previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced contraction of economic activity has seen a jump in Medicaid enrollment, and agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state now forecast still more growth in enrollment. After recent years of stagnant enrollment numbers, every region of the U.S. has witnessed a bump in its Medicaid enrollment since the Covid-19 outbreak began. In the six-state Far West region, the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak has been less severe than in other sections of the country, as Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 4.2%, as compared to 6.5% nationally, during the first half of 2020. Here's a quick look at Medicaid enrollment growth at the state and regional level in the Far West region during the first half of 2020:

Covid-19 and Medicaid Enrollment in the Far West Region

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
AK	218.5	207.3		5.4%
CA	10,615.8	10,300.6		3.1%
HI	332.5	300.2		10.8%
NV	657.5	586.1		12.2%
OR	935.5	870.9		7.4%
WA	1,733.9	1,642.8		5.5%
FW Only	14,493.7	13,907.8		4.2%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Medicaid Enrollment in the Southeast

Because of strong economic conditions prior to 2020, Medicaid, the nation's health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources, had been experiencing a slight enrollment downtrend in recent years. Medicaid agencies, which administer the program in each state, were expecting more of the same in 2020.  Those expectations quickly changed as the Covid-19 outbreak, which began in China in late 2019, spread rapidly across the nation. Before the new year was even a month old, U.S. officials had declared a public health emergency and soon thereafter efforts to bring the outbreak under control began. Unfortunately, Americans soon discovered that measures that were good for public health were bad for business.  Efforts to control the outbreak have caused an unprecedent, and ongoing, disruption of business activity in the U.S. and widespread economic hardship for millions of Americans. In contrast to pre-pandemic expectations of minimal enrollment growth, between the adverse economic conditions for many individuals and federal efforts to support health insurance coverage during a public health crisis, the number of people on Medicaid rolls has jumped considerably during the first half of 2020.   The most recently published Medicaid enrollment data, which is current as of 7/1/20, reveals enrollment growth of 6.5%, or more than 4 million people, since the beginning of 2020. Moreover, given the scale of the economic hardships and the uncertainty about how long these conditions will last, Medicaid agencies now forecast still more growth in enrollment in the current fiscal year that began this past July.  

Every region of the U.S. has seen a bump in its Medicaid enrollment numbers since the Covid-19 outbreak began. In the twelve-state Southeast region, the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak has been modestly more pronounced, as Medicaid enrollment in the region grew 7.2%, as compared to 6.5% nationally, during the first half of 2020. Here's a quick look at Medicaid enrollment growth at the state and regional level in the Southeast during the first half of 2020:

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Medicaid Enrollment in the Southeast

	Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s)
State	July 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2020		Growth
AL	791.4	758.7		4.3%
AR	803.2	774.9		3.6%
FL	3,716.7	3,364.1		10.5%
GA	1,729.9	1,618.9		6.9%
KY	1,371.4	1,194.7		14.8%
LA	1,474.3	1,386.5		6.3%
MS	559.1	539.0		3.7%
NC	1,586.6	1,487.2		6.7%
SC	965.0	944.3		2.2%
TN	1,380.7	1,339.9		3.0%
VA	1,361.6	1,266.8		7.5%
WV	494.4	472.3		4.7%
SE Only	16,234.4	15,147.3		7.2%
National	68,826.6	64,621.4		6.5%

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.