Medicaid is a publicly financed source of health insurance and long-term care coverage for certain eligible population groups. It is the second-largest source of health coverage in the nation, following employment-based coverage.
In state fiscal year 2012 (FY 2012), Medicaid in Kansas and the related Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were estimated to cover more than 385,000 Kansans at a cost of almost $3 billion. Medicaid provides health care coverage to low-income dependent children, very low-income parents, certain pregnant women, some people with disabilities, low-income seniors and some individuals with specific health conditions. CHIP provides similar coverage to uninsured low-income children who are not eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid is a partnership between the state and federal governments that has a significant impact on the Kansas economy. In federal fiscal year 2011 (FFY 2011), the federal government spent more than $264 billion on the program nationally. The federal government contributed approximately $1.30 for every dollar of state Medicaid spending in Kansas during FY 2013. The rate of this match varies year to year and from state to state, and generally is higher in poorer states.
In Kansas, Medicaid and CHIP account for 18.7 percent of the state budget (State General Fund only) and represent a significant portion of total spending on health care services. In FY 2012, the state spent more money only on K–12 education.
This report, “Kansas Medicaid: A Primer, 2014,” relies on data from state FY 2012 and earlier, prior to the implementation of KanCare. Unless otherwise noted, data have been compiled using KDHE Medical Assistance Reports. Throughout the document, changes related to KanCare are addressed where applicable.