Explaining Enrollment Trends and Participant Characteristics of the Medicaid BuyIn Program 20022003

The Medicaid Buy-In program provides health coverage to working adults with disabilities whose incomes or assets prevent them from qualifying for traditional Medicaid. Participants typically pay a premium in exchange for full Medicaid benefits. This report, which explores participation trends and the relationship between program design and participation, notes that enrollment grew dramatically in recent years, nearly tripling from 2001 to 2003. In addition, most participants had low earnings and were already connected to public assistance programs when they enrolled.