A Look at Variation in Medicaid Spending Per Enrollee by Group and Across States

Medicaid funds low-income Americans’ comprehensive health and long-term care, with states having flexibility in program design. National Medicaid spending per enrollee was $7,593 in 2021, with highest spending for seniors and individuals with disabilities. State variation in per-enrollee spending is due to different eligibility rules, benefits and provider payments, demographics, and healthcare costs. Medicaid spending per enrollee varied from $3,750 to $12,425 across states. States that expanded Medicaid had higher per-enrollee spending for all eligibilities than non-expansion states.