The Montana Healthcare Foundation and Manatt jointly prepared a report called “2024 Medicaid in Montana”, which is an insightful analysis of the state’s Medicaid program. The report delves into how Medicaid impacts the state budget, economy, and overall health of its residents. For a comprehensive understanding, it is recommended to download the full report.
In the latest report, the focus is on the critical role that Montana Medicaid plays in providing access to essential preventive services. This includes screening and treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders, especially crucial after a significant decrease in the utilization of preventive care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One key finding of the report is that Medicaid coverage leads to a reduction in emergency room visits for preventable conditions. This shift ultimately results in a decrease in healthcare costs by moving away from costly emergency and inpatient care towards outpatient services and pharmacy. Consequently, there is an overall improvement in health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Currently, Montana Medicaid extends healthcare coverage to nearly 300,000 individuals, encompassing children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and low-income adults. Since the inception of the HELP Act in 2016, adults with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level are also eligible for coverage under Medicaid.
For more in-depth insights and additional findings on the impact of Montana’s Medicaid program, the full 2024 report along with the data book is available for further exploration. Click the link provided to access the complete report and delve deeper into the analysis.