Benefits
Medicaid covers routine health services as well as benefits that are limited or not typically covered under other health insurance plans such as long-term services and supports, translation assistance, and non-emergency transportation services that are important to low-income seniors, adults with disabilities, and children with special health care needs. There are also specific rules affecting use of cost sharing and premiums. Learn more about Medicaid benefits.
Learn More about These Topics
- Mandatory and optional benefits
- Behavioral health benefits
- EPSDT in Medicaid
- Non-emergency medical transportation
- Cost sharing and premiums
- Alternative benefit plans
Featured Publications
Mandatory and Optional Enrollees and Services in Medicaid
March 30, 2026
Federal statute and regulations mandate the coverage of certain populations and benefits in Medicaid and define the optional populations and services states may cover. States make policy decisions regarding their program’s parameters within these federal requirements to meet their specific needs and priorities. This issue brief describes the mandatory and optional eligibility pathways in Medicaid […]
Mandatory and Optional Enrollment and Spending in Medicaid
March 5, 2026
Federal statute and regulations mandate coverage of certain populations and benefits and define optional populations and services that states may cover in their Medicaid programs. States design their programs within federal requirements to meet specific needs and priorities. In this session, we presented our analysis of enrollment and spending for mandatory and optional enrollees and […]
Access to Dental Services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
June 26, 2025
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience a wide range of conditions that affect their physical, intellectual, and emotional development, and are more likely to have Medicaid coverage than those without such conditions. This issue brief examines state Medicaid policies for providing dental services for adults with I/DD and the challenges states face in providing […]