In 2024, approximately 59 million people in the U.S. were covered by Medicaid, which provides medical coverage to low-income families. This statistic depicts the number of people in the United States covered by Medicaid from 1990 to 2024.

The number of older individuals – those aged 65 and older – enrolled in the Medicaid health insurance program was projected to be *** million in 2020. Enrollment is expected to increase year-on-year and is forecast to reach ***** million by 2027.

Which enrollment group is the largest? The percentage of people covered by Medicaid has notably increased since 2000, and enrollment has accelerated in recent years due to the program’s expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The elderly represent the smallest enrollment group, and this looks set to continue in the coming years. The number of disabled enrollees is projected to grow to nearly ****** million, while children are expected to remain the largest enrollment group.

Combining Medicaid and Medicare Aged individuals can qualify for Medicaid based on their low-income or via another eligibility pathway, such as receiving Supplemental Security Income. Some seniors may also qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare, and these dual-eligible beneficiaries receive a comprehensive range of medical support. Medicare is a health insurance program primarily aimed at individuals aged 65 and older – this group accounted for around ** percent of all Medicare enrollees in 2019.

Over ** million Americans were estimated to be enrolled in the Medicaid program as of 2023. That is a significant increase from around ** million ten years earlier. Medicaid is basically a joint federal and state health program that provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families. Currently, Medicaid is responsible for ** percent of the nation’s health care bill, making it the third-largest payer behind private insurances and Medicare. From the beginning to ObamacareMedicaid was implemented in 1965 and since then has become the largest source of medical services for Americans with low income and limited resources. The program has become particularly prominent since the introduction of President Obama’s health reform – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - in 2010. Medicaid was largely impacted by this reform, for states now had the opportunity to expand Medicaid eligibility to larger parts of the uninsured population. Thus, the percentage of uninsured in the United States decreased from over ** percent in 2010 to *** percent in 2022. Who is enrolled in Medicaid?Medicaid enrollment is divided mainly into four groups of beneficiaries: children, adults under 65 years of age, seniors aged 65 years or older, and disabled people. Children are the largest group, with a share of approximately ** percent of enrollees. However, their share of Medicaid expenditures is relatively small, with around ** percent. Compared to that, disabled people, accounting for **** percent of total enrollment, were responsible for **** percent of total expenditures. Around half of total Medicaid spending goes to managed care and health plans.

The percentage of Americans covered by the Medicaid public health insurance plan decreased from **** percent in 2021 to around **** percent in 2024. However, the percentage of those insured through Medicaid remains lower than the peak of **** percent in 2015. The expansion of Medicaid The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided the option for states to expand Medicaid eligibility to people whose income was below a particular threshold. The ACA’s major coverage expansion came into force in 2014, and the number of individuals estimated to be enrolled in Medicaid has since surpassed ** million. More than ** million children were enrolled in the program in 2018, representing ** percent of overall Medicaid enrollment. State Medicaid coverage Initially, the ACA mandated that all state Medicaid programs would have to be extended to provide medical coverage to nearly all low-income groups. However, the Supreme Court rejected that part of the act in 2012, leaving the door open for states to make their own decision on whether they expand their plans. As of September 2021, ** states plus the District of Columbia have adopted the Medicaid expansion.

California has more Medicaid and CHIP enrollees than any other state in the United States. As of April 2023, approximately ** million Americans were enrolled in the Medicaid health insurance programs in California, which accounted for approximately ** percent of the total number of Medicaid enrollees nationwide (**** million). Blow to Medicaid expansion plans California is one of many states that has expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to encourage more low-income adults to sign up for health coverage. One of the original aims of the ACA was to limit some of the variations in state Medicaid programs, but the Supreme Court ruled that the expansion should be optional. Governors of the states that did not expand said they were concerned about long-term costs. California is the leading state for Medicaid expenditure, spending approximately **** billion U.S. dollars in FY2020. Health coverage for children The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was created as a complement to Medicaid, expanding the reach of government-funded health coverage to more children in low-income families. As of May 2021, over **** million children were enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP programs in California, more than any other state. As of January 2021, the median Medicaid/CHIP eligibility level for children was *** percent of the federal poverty level.

United States HIC: All Ages: PG: Govt: Medicaid data was reported at 62,492.000 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 62,303.000 Person th for 2016. United States HIC: All Ages: PG: Govt: Medicaid data is updated yearly, averaging 42,830.746 Person th from Mar 1999 (Median) to 2017, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62,492.000 Person th in 2017 and a record low of 27,353.084 Person th in 1999. United States HIC: All Ages: PG: Govt: Medicaid data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G083: Health Insurance Coverage.

In 2023, just four in ten Medicaid/CHIP enrollees were White, non-Hispanic. In comparison, roughly three-quarters of Medicare beneficiaries were White. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion in 2014, has helped reduce racial disparities in access to healthcare in the United States. Medicaid eligibility Medicaid provides health coverage to certain low-income individuals, families, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Each state has its own Medicaid eligibility criteria in accordance with federal guidelines. As a result, Medicaid eligibility and benefits differ widely from state to state. Medicaid expansion provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows states to provide coverage for low-income adults by expanding eligibility for Medicaid to 138 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL). Medicaid coverage gap Uninsured individuals who live in states that have chosen not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are referred to as being in the Medicaid coverage gap. As of January 2021, 12 states have not adopted the Medicaid expansion provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). More than two million uninsured adults fall into this coverage gap, and among them, more than 60 percent are people of color.

United States HIC: 35 to 44 Yrs: PG: Govt: Medicaid data was reported at 5,956.000 Person th in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,949.600 Person th for 2015. United States HIC: 35 to 44 Yrs: PG: Govt: Medicaid data is updated yearly, averaging 3,182.386 Person th from Mar 1999 (Median) to 2016, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,956.000 Person th in 2016 and a record low of 2,158.401 Person th in 1999. United States HIC: 35 to 44 Yrs: PG: Govt: Medicaid data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G082: Health Insurance Coverage.

United States HIC: 65 Yrs & Over: PG: Govt: Medicaid data was reported at 3,387.000 Person th in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,263.300 Person th for 2015. United States HIC: 65 Yrs & Over: PG: Govt: Medicaid data is updated yearly, averaging 3,308.176 Person th from Mar 1999 (Median) to 2016, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,883.424 Person th in 2011 and a record low of 2,612.898 Person th in 1999. United States HIC: 65 Yrs & Over: PG: Govt: Medicaid data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G082: Health Insurance Coverage.

The Share of Medicaid Enrollees in any Managed Care and in Comprehensive Managed CaAre profiles state-level enrollment statistics (numbers and percentages) of total Medicaid enrollees in any type of managed care as well as those enrolled specifically in comprehensive managed care programs. The report provides managed care enrollment by state with all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US territories are represented in these data. Note: "n/a" indicates that a state or territory was not able to report data or does not have a managed care program. The “Total Medicaid Enrollees” column represents an unduplicated count of all beneficiaries in FFS and any type of managed care, including Medicaid-only and dually eligible individuals receiving full Medicaid benefits or Medicaid cost sharing. The “Total Medicaid Enrollment in Any Type of Managed Care” column represents an unduplicated count of beneficiaries enrolled in any Medicaid managed care program, including comprehensive MCOs, limited benefit MCOs, PCCMs, and PCCM entities. The “Medicaid Enrollment in Comprehensive Managed Care” column represents an unduplicated count of Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in a managed care plan that provides comprehensive benefits (acute, primary care, specialty, and any other), as well as PACE programs. It excludes beneficiaries who are enrolled in a Financial Alignment Initiative Medicare-Medicaid Plan as their only form of managed care.

This report tracks the number of people covered by private health insurance in the United States. The data includes coverage either provided by employers or purchased directly from an insurer or a health maintenance organization. The data does not include government-provided health insurance such as Medicaid, Medicare and military health care. Data is sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Medicaid is an important public health insurance for individuals with a low income, those that are pregnant, disabled or are children. It was projected that by 2020 there would be approximately **** million Medicaid enrollees. By 2027 that number is expected to increase to ** million individuals covered.

Medicaid in the focus

Medicaid has recently been in the news for several reasons. A proposed Medicaid expansion was announced with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. According to the expansion, all states were given the option to expand Medicaid programs to help provide insurance coverage to millions of U.S. Americans. As of 2019, ** states have accepted federal funding to expand their Medicaid programs. Medicaid, after Medicare and private insurance, provides a significant proportion of the total health expenditures in the United States. In general, Medicaid expenditure, like the number of enrollees, has been growing over time.

Medicaid demographics

A significant proportion of Medicaid enrollees in the U.S. are children and low-income adults. Despite children accounting for most of the enrollees in the Medicaid program, the largest percentage of expenditures for Medicaid is dedicated to those enrolled as a disabled individual. Expenditures for the program also vary regionally. The states with the highest Medicaid expenditures include California, New York and Texas, to name a few.

The Share of Medicaid Enrollees in any Managed Care and in Comprehensive Managed CaAre profiles state-level enrollment statistics (numbers and percentages) of total Medicaid enrollees in any type of managed care as well as those enrolled specifically in comprehensive managed care programs. The report provides managed care enrollment by state with all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US territories are represented in these data.

1. Note: "n/a" indicates that a state or territory was not able to report data or does not have a managed care program.

2. The “Total Medicaid Enrollees” column represents an unduplicated count of all beneficiaries in FFS and any type of managed care, including Medicaid-only and dually eligible individuals receiving full Medicaid benefits or Medicaid cost sharing.

3. The “Total Medicaid Enrollment in Any Type of Managed Care” column represents an unduplicated count of beneficiaries enrolled in any Medicaid managed care program, including comprehensive MCOs, limited benefit MCOs, PCCMs, and PCCM entities.

4. The “Medicaid Enrollment in Comprehensive Managed Care” column represents an unduplicated count of Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in a managed care plan that provides comprehensive benefits (acute, primary care, specialty, and any other), as well as PACE programs. It excludes beneficiaries who are enrolled in a Financial Alignment Initiative Medicare-Medicaid Plan as their only form of managed care.

Graph and download economic data for Personal current transfer receipts: Government social benefits to persons: Medicaid (W729RC1A027NBEA) from 1966 to 2024 about transfers, social assistance, receipts, benefits, personal, government, GDP, and USA.

This map shows where people have Medicaid or means-tested healthcare coverage in the US (ages under 65). This is shown by State, County, and Census Tract, and uses the most current ACS 5-year estimates.

United States HIC: Below 18 Yrs: PG: Govt: Medicaid data was reported at 28,530.000 Person th in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 29,176.000 Person th for 2015. United States HIC: Below 18 Yrs: PG: Govt: Medicaid data is updated yearly, averaging 21,779.976 Person th from Mar 1999 (Median) to 2016, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29,396.300 Person th in 2014 and a record low of 14,754.290 Person th in 1999. United States HIC: Below 18 Yrs: PG: Govt: Medicaid data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G082: Health Insurance Coverage.

As of September 2025, approximately *** million Medicaid enrollees have been disenrolled in Texas, the highest number of people disenrolled across all states in the United States. Overall, more than **** million people in the United States have lost their Medicaid coverage, the majority of those terminations were for so-called procedural reasons, which means that the enrollees did not finish the renewal process for various reasons.

The industry, which extends credit to consumers to cover medical procedures, has experienced greater demand and a shifting healthcare environment, as higher disposable incomes and increased access to credit enable a more significant number of consumers to finance elective and nonelective healthcare procedures. The pandemic in 2020 boosted the industry, as total healthcare expenditure jumped. Also, the widespread distribution of the vaccine reduced the number of cases, which freed up hospital capacity and medical personnel for elective and nonelective procedures. However, the number of people with private health insurance and federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid have increased which has indirectly increased competition with the industry and limited demand. Growth in private health insurance and public insurance programs enable individuals to cover medical expenses without the use of third-party financing options. Overall, industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.2% to $16.0 billion over the past five years, including an anticipated increase of 2.5% in 2024 alone. Industry profit has also grown over the past five years due to decreasing miscellaneous costs regarding loan provisions and legal fees, along with the renewal in industry demand. The industry primarily comprises localized businesses providing third-party financing to regional medical providers. Further, significant revenue growth has resulted in an influx of new entrants, amplifying market fragmentation. In addition, widening gaps in insurance coverage, especially in states that didn't expand Medicaid, have also contributed to industry growth. The industry will continue expanding, albeit at a decelerated rate. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% to $17.9 billion over the five years to 2029. Increasing healthcare costs, sluggish growth in private healthcare coverage and greater access to credit will bolster industry demand as consumers with no or minimal coverage seek alternative methods to cover medical expenses. Further, an aging domestic population will result in more US residents requiring medical care. But revenue growth will be limited, given increased federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid.

Data on Medicaid coverage among people under age 65, in the United States, by selected population characteristics. Data from Health, United States. SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey. Search, visualize, and download these and other estimates from over 120 health topics with the NCHS Data Query System (DQS), available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/dataquery/index.htm.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are especially vulnerable to harms from opioid use disorder (OUD). Medications for OUD (MOUD) effectively reduce overdose and infectious disease transmission risks. Objective: We investigate whether state Medicaid coverage for methadone and buprenorphine is related to past-year MOUD use among PWID using cross-sectional, multilevel analyses with individual-level data on PWID from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2018 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance. The sample included 8,142 PWID aged 18-64 who reported daily opioid use from 22 U.S. metropolitan areas. Our outcome was any self-reported MOUD use in the past 12 months. Exposures were state Medicaid coverage and prior authorization requirements for methadone and buprenorphine. We interacted these exposures with PWID race/ethnicity, insurance status, and spatial access to treatment and harm reduction resources. Results: Compared with PWID in states without Medicaid methadone coverage, odds of past-year MOUD use were 73% (p