Policy Issues for Working Healthy and Other States' Medicaid Buy-Ins: The Good, the Bad, and What Remains to be Seen

Abstract

Medicaid Buy-In programs are a work incentive initiative under both the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Ticket to Work/Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. They allow people with disabilities to work and get or maintain Medicaid coverage. The Kansas Buy-In, Working Healthy, has been very successful to date, with many positive stories from enrollees. The strengths of Working Healthy and Buy-Ins nationally, however, are offset by various policy issues that limit the degree to which Buy-In participants can gain true independence through work.