Kaiser study: COVID-19 results in increased Medicaid enrollment, spending

Medicaid enrollment for fiscal year 2021 is expected to jump 8.2%, with state spending to accelerate by 8.4%, according to data from 42 state Medicaid directors and compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

KFF cites COVID-19’s health and economic consequences, along with a temporary federal match rate increase, as the reasons for both increases.

The study’s authors note that the projections may not account for additional federal funding expiring at the end of March 2021 and states face uncertainty heading out of 2020 due to temporary budgets and continuing resolutions to start FY 2021, challenges of meeting balanced-budget requirements, and the indeterminate length of the public health emergency.