DataPoint: Medicaid and Preventive Care
Findings from a study found on the Health Affairs web journal suggest that severe obesity in adults cost state Medicaid programs almost $8 billion in 2013. Preventive care options associated with Medicaid play a significant role in altering the chronic conditions that increase Medicaid costs. While seven out of 10 adult Medicaid enrollees are considered overweight and one out of three smoke tobacco, preventive services such as immunizations and regular screening are healthy alternatives. Further figures and illustrations describing the relationship between Medicaid and preventive care are provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s May 17th issue brief Data Note: Medicaid’s Role in Providing Access to Preventive Care for Adults, available here.
Contact: Ken Allison, kallison@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8820