Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program: Understanding These Programs to Promote Advancements.

Abstract

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program together represent the largest healthcare coverage programs in the United States, providing benefits for approximately one in four residents and more than half of all children. Both programs are funded by a combination of federal and state dollars with more than 70% of beneficiaries enrolled in managed care plans. The size and scope of these programs underpin the importance of a working knowledge to understand healthcare delivery in the United States. This primer provides an overview of several interrelated topics for an improved understanding of the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program programs for orthopaedic surgeons, other clinicians, healthcare administrators, policy makers, and business leaders.