In an effort to measure disparities in access to care, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released three new briefs with data describing certain demographics and benefit use of enrollees in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Adding to previous data briefs on race and ethnicity, disability, and primary language, new data is provided showing beneficiary information for:
- Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder Services
- Section 1915(c) Waiver Participation (access to long-term home and community-based services)
- Well-Child Visits
Each includes information for rural populations. For example, in 2020, about 5.7 million Medicaid- and CHIP-enrolled children under age 19 resided in a rural area, and 45 percent received a well-child visit compared to 51 percent of those living in urban areas.