Medicaid for Adults with Disabilities Fact Sheet
Why is Medicaid Important?
- In the U.S., 15 million people with disabilities and older adults use Medicaid to pay for their health care.
- At least 1 in 3 working adults with disabilities use Medicaid to meet their care needs.
How does Medicaid help people with disabilities?
- Medicaid pays for preventive and specialty health care and mental health care.
- Medicaid pays for specialized medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and hearing aids.
- Medicaid covers supportive services such as:
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- Personal care attendants so individuals with disabilities and/or their family members can work.
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- Home and community-based services to prevent institutionalization.
- Medicaid also pays for nursing homes for low-income elders and people with disabilities who need full-time care.
Why does Medicaid make financial sense?
- It is efficient. For adults with similar health issues, Medicaid expenses are 20% less than for private insurance.
- It is cost-effective. Providing preventive care and supportive services is much less expensive than the cost of emergency, inpatient, and long-term care services.
- It supports independent living. Paying for in-home services such as a personal care attendant helps people live at home, take care of their daily activities, and work.
- It helps families. Thanks to the in-home or nursing home services covered by Medicaid, family members of people with disabilities are able to keep working.
Sources & Additional Resources
Explore these trusted resources:
- Medicaid.gov - National Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) - Key Facts About Children with Special Health Care Needs and Medicaid
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - Medicaid Works: Key Policy Facts