Projected number of disabled people enrolled in Medicaid in the U.S. 2020-2027

The number of disabled persons enrolled in Medicaid was projected to reach eleven million in 2020. This enrollment group is expected to increase over the coming years and could reach 11.7 million by 2027.

Disabled enrollees by state

Medicaid is a public health insurance program that provides medical coverage to millions of Americans. Disabled individuals represent around 20 percent of all Medicaid enrollees – children aged 18 years and under are the largest enrollment group. The state of California, which has the highest Medicaid expenditure, had slightly more than one million disabled enrollees in 2014.

SSI beneficiaries will receive Medicaid

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the opportunity for states to expand Medicaid and cover more low-income adults aged 64 years and under. The ACA established a new methodology to determine income eligibility for Medicaid. However, some mandatory groups are exempt from these income-based rules, including those individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The SSI program provides financial assistance to disabled persons, and beneficiaries are automatically eligible for Medicaid.