In expansion states, adults covered through the ACA expansion use more services than other adults who are eligible on the basis of having low-income. While some groups claim that expansion adults are primarily “able-bodied” adults with minimal health needs, analysis of 2021 Medicaid claims data finds that expansion adults were more likely to use prescription drugs and behavioral health treatment compared to other adults. High utilization of these services by expansion adults likely reflects that one-third have a chronic physical health condition and a quarter have a chronic behavioral health condition. However, their utilization rates were lower than rates among adults who qualified on the basis of having a disability.
Read the full article: Utilization of Health Care Services by Medicaid Expansion Status //
Source: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/utilization-of-health-care-services-by-medicaid-expansion-status/