CMS Releases New Medicaid Enrollment, Medicare Coverage Data
By - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released updated Medicare state-by-state enrollment numbers.
Over 55 million individuals are covered via Medicare, says CMS. This number is 36 million greater than nearly 50 years ago when Medicare and Medicaid first came into fruition, as CMS confirms. Comparatively, merely 3 years ago, 52 million beneficiaries – 3 million less than present – were reportedly covered by Medicare, says CMS.
A period of reflection to understand what comes next
Perhaps reflection as to what such numbers mean today is key as the 5-decade milestone approaches. Said former President Harry Truman, attributed by RevCycleIntelligence.com as the man who “started it all,” during the implementation of a national insurance plan, “About 1,200 counties, 40 percent of the total in the country, with some 15,000,000 people, have either no local hospital, or none that meets even the minimum standards of national professional associations.” Truman half a century ago stressed the need for more physicians and healthcare professionals in rural areas, more high-quality healthcare facilities in rural areas, the creation of a medical providers board who can help create and implement healthcare standards, a need to address the high cost of individual medical care, and a focus on addressing the loss of earnings when illness strikes.
Medicare has grown sizably within the past half-decade
Nonetheless, the core values that bear earlier consideration still ring true. “Today’s enrollment numbers represent a three million person increase during the last three years as the Baby Boom generation has started to retire. Medicare beneficiaries depend on the program to provide critical health services such as preventive services, including flu shots and diabetes screenings, hospital stays, lab tests and critical supplies like wheelchairs and prescription drugs,” CMS’s press release confirms.
According to Andy Slavitt, CMS Acting Administrator, “Over the last 50 years, Medicare has become part of the fabric of our communities, protecting the well-being and financial security of millions of American families as they age or if they become disabled. In doing so, Medicare has kept up with dramatic demographic changes and led the charge toward improving health care delivery.”
Slavitt adds that the continued preservation and advancement of Medicare will help advance the healthcare industry and maintain a healthy population of beneficiaries.
Monthly state-by-state Medicare enrollments confirm growth
According to CMS, as of last May, almost 72 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Almost 13 million more acquired coverage within the past several years, says CMS.
As RevCycleIntelligence.com reported, Medicare and Medicaid cover 68 million beneficiaries. Part A Medicare premiums can cost a patient a little over $400 monthly. Part B Medicare plans reportedly can cost beneficiaries nearly $150 annually.
The state of California had the highest enrollment numbers as of last May in Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollment (5,601,363) and Part D prescription drug plans (4,295,432).
Is more growth in the collective realms of Medicare and Medicaid on its way within the next half century? Only time will tell as future CMS data is released and the birthday of a healthcare milestone comes and goes accordingly.
