Office of New York State Comptroller DiNapoli - COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Record Medicaid Enrollment in 2021

 

COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to
Record Medicaid Enrollment in 2021

The Medicaid program ensures health care access for millions of New Yorkers and has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a record number of State residents relying on the program. This increased enrollment has contributed to a steep decline in the number of New York residents without health coverage.

According to a report released by my Office, the number of New York residents without health care coverage declined from 2.2 million (11.4% of the population) in 2008 to 1.0 million (5.2%) in 2019. The expansion of the Medicaid program played a large role in the sharp drop in the number of uninsured New Yorkers.

While the drop in New Yorkers without health coverage is positive news, State budget projections rely on expectations for significant enrollment declines that may not materialize, which could drive significant unbudgeted costs.

To protect the long-term viability of the Medicaid program, State policymakers should closely monitor Medicaid enrollment and spending trends, and engage stakeholders in developing strategies to protect the quality of care for program participants while effectively containing costs