Using Medicaid/SCHIP to insure working families: the Massachusetts experience.
Massachusetts was the first State to implement a premium subsidy program for employer-sponsored health insurance, using both Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funding. The Insurance Partnership (IP) provides subsidies directly to small employers, and the Premium Assistance Program provides subsidies to their low-income employees. Approximately 3,500 small firms currently participate, most of them offering health insurance coverage for the first time. Approximately 10,000 adults and children are covered through the program, the majority of whom had been uninsured prior to enrolling. Massachusetts' successful experience with premium subsidies offers important lessons for other States wishing to implement similar programs.
Mitchell
Janet B
JB
jmitchell@her-cher.org
Osber
Deborah S
DS
D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005190:Family; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics; D008404:Massachusetts; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008483:Medical Assistance / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States