Studies of the insurance status of homeless people suggest that 60-80% of homeless persons are uninsured. These data also indicate that 20-30% of homeless individuals are enrolled in Medicaid. A large number of those receiving Medicaid-supported services are children and families, yet many other children and families who are eligible for Medicaid are not enrolled, and others are inappropriately disenrolled. Given the prevalence of serious mental illness and disabling medical conditions among adult homeless individuals, it is likely that many homeless single adults are also eligible for Medicaid, but similarly face obstacles to enrollment and are subject to premature disenrollment. There are a number of useful strategies which can address the challenge of Medicaid enrollment for homeless individuals and families. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council conducted a survey of over thirty health care providers that serve homeless persons to explore the Medicaid enrollment challenge. The findings of this survey will be the focus of the presentation. Presenters will discuss Medicaid eligibility categories under which homeless clients are likely to qualify, describe the nature of Medicaid enrollment barriers faced by homeless persons, and offer recommendations for increasing the number of eligible homeless persons who enroll in Medicaid and remain enrolled for as long as they are eligible. See www.nhchc.org
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Homelessness, Medicaid
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.