This fifth annual report on Montana Medicaid evaluates the performance of Medicaid expansion, focusing on its impact on the health care system, state budget, and health outcomes. Key findings include:

  • Medicaid expansion has had a substantial impact on the health care system, particularly in rural areas. In a survey of 27 Montana critical access hospitals, 93% reported adding or expanding new specialty services since 2016.
  • State expenditures on Medicaid have remained consistent at roughly 13% of Montana’s total general fund spending each year since before the HELP Act was implemented in 2016, despite adding coverage for more than 90,000 Montanans.
  • Medicaid expansion improves access to preventive services, contributing to fewer visits to the emergency room and shifting health care costs from emergency and inpatient care to outpatient services and pharmacy.
  • By providing a new source of reimbursement, Medicaid expansion helps the Indian Health Service stretch its limited budget, improving access to non-emergency health services at no cost to Montana.

The Montana Healthcare Foundation commissioned the report, which was produced by Manatt Health. Read the report’s accompanying:

Databook

One-Pager

Press Release

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