Cost-SharingThe Federal Medicaid program has traditionally targeted families with little or no income. Because of this, policymakers have customarily limited the amount of cost-sharing that Medicaid programs can impose in order to minimize barriers to enrollment and utilization. As government-subsidized health insurance programs have expanded to serve the "working poor", families with limited incomes above the poverty level, however, cost-sharing issues have become more relevant and more States have started to institute cost-sharing policies.
Cost-sharing options such as premium contributions are being permitted in SCHIP programs. States are granted additional flexibility to impose cost-sharing requirements on participating families well beyond those traditionally permitted under Medicaid. Because of this additional flexibility, new concerns are emerging surrounding the level and extent to which cost-sharing will affect access to, utilization of and satisfaction with SCHIP services.
Background Information on Key Policy Issues
Recent Developments
Current Research Findings
Click here to access references to current research regarding cost-sharing issues.
AHRQ Activities
Click here to access information on additional AHRQ activities related to SCHIP.
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Cost Sharing
