Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income Americans, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and individuals with certain disabilities. Unlike Medicare, which is federally administered, Medicaid is managed by individual states under federal requirements. This means each state determines to some extent its own eligibility criteria, benefits and coverage scope.
Medicaid Coverage for Prescription Drugs
While all states offer some form of Medicaid, the specific services covered can vary. For example, prescription drug coverage is considered an optional benefit under federal law, but all states currently provide it—either directly or through managed care plans. Medicaid plays a vital role in ensuring access to affordable medicines, especially through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). Under this program, biopharmaceutical manufacturers provide rebates to states in exchange for guaranteed access to their medicines, helping keep drug costs low for states and both patients and taxpayers. This collaboration enables the Medicaid program to provide robust access to affordable prescription drugs in which patients have little to no copay.
To learn more about your state’s Medicaid program and eligibility, visit medicaid.gov.
Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
As the single largest source of health coverage in the United States, Medicaid can combine with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to provide health coverage to millions of children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Review your state’s Medicaid and CHIP profile to learn more about coverage and your individual eligibility from these joint federal and state programs.
