The beneficiaries included approximately 33 million aged, five million Social Security disability enrollees, and 270,000 end-stage kidney disease patients. The plans often offer, at no additional charge, services not covered by Medicare, such as eyeglasses, dental services and hearing aids. Managed-care plans have the potential of providing high quality health care services at significant cost savings. The private sector is increasingly turning to managed-care plans to achieve affordable health care. Medicaid Medicaid, which provides health care coverage for the poor, is administered by the states with matching funds from the federal government.
Federal law mandates coverage of basic health care services for categories of low-income people.
States have the option of covering other needy people and providing medical services not mandated by federal law. Successful managed care programs provide medical services for 13 million Medicaid beneficiaries through Medicaid managed care or statewide waivers in 41 states. State inspection teams working under agreement with HCFA conduct surveys of health care providers and suppliers to ensure compliance with federal standards for health, safety and quality of care. Followup inspections are performed when necessary to bring facilities into compliance. Approximately 5,700 state surveyors perform the inspections, and their work is monitored by approximately 100 HCFA surveyors.