A recent study from St. Louis-based Washington University assessed administrative burdens that low-wage individuals face with Medicaid and SNAP.
While issues with SNAP were generally more prevalent, Medicaid had unique challenges.
Here are five takeaways on Medicaid burdens:
1. The rate of benefit uncertainty was greater for Medicaid than for SNAP.
2. About 14% to 20% of individuals reported issues with documentation, required meetings and government office visits — along with staff disrespect and feelings of powerlessness — when it came to Medicaid.
3. Compliance, learning and psychological burdens were more pronounced for enrollees with chronic illnesses.
4. Thirteen percent of people lacking healthcare hardships had a compliance burden; that figure was three times as high for those with three hardships.
5. Participants from households containing a member with a disability consistently reported higher Medicaid burdens.
