This poster explains a study that examines how states undergoing Medicaid expansion differ in their treatment of the “medically frail” population. The medically frail are individuals who may need the extra benefits offered by traditional Medicaid.

The results provide needed information to policymakers that are interested in improving access among vulnerable populations in the 23 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion, but may do so in the future. While regulations provide categories that qualify for medical frailty, each state is free to use their own method of determining who meets the definition. There is a need for ongoing study to determine whether state differences in how medical frailty is addressed are associated with differences in access by persons with high medical need.

Presented at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting.