Native Americans and Medicaid: Coverage and Financing Issues
Medicaid plays several different roles of significance to Native Americans. Through its purchase of managed care products, Medicaid is reshaping the health care delivery system for many Native Americans and other underserved low-income populations. Medicaid also assists low-income elderly and disabled Indians who are eligible for Medicare in meeting their premium and cost-sharing obligations. Finally, Medicaid offers coverage for nursing home care and other long-term care services needed by frail elderly and disabled Native Americans. This report provides an overview of Medicaid from the standpoint of Native Americans with an emphasis on Medicaid as an insurance program and a purchaser of managed care