Medicaid / Medicare

A Research Review and Comment on Future Directions for Integrating Housing and Health Services

This brief explores how state Medicaid agencies have utilized a variety of federal authorities and delivery systems to increase access to supportive housing services and highlights important implementation considerations.

In December 2016, federal and state policymakers examined the intersection of unstable housing and negative health outcomes at a meeting convened in Washington, D.C., by the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) with support from The Commonwealth Fund.

Under Medicaid, states are required to cover mandatory benefits and may choose to cover optional benefits.

This brief provides an overview of current federal standards and state options in Medicaid to help inform upcoming debates about increasing state flexibility in the program as part of efforts to restructure Medicaid financing.