CPS Medicaid Undercount Update, August 31, 2006
A survey of Maryland Medicaid beneficiaries conducted by the Center in 2005 found a significant discrepancy in Medicaid enrollment between state records and the Current Population Survey (CPS) administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. To address the CPS undercount, the Center recommended that the Census Bureau alter the 2005 CPS survey instrument to include “Medical Assistance” as an alternative name for the Maryland Medicaid program. This is the name by which Medicaid is known to most Maryland Medicaid enrollees. The 2005 CPS, released August 29, 2006, reports a 15 percent increase in Maryland Medicaid enrollees, along with a slight decline in the number of uninsured Marylanders. While the CPS still reports a significant undercount in Maryland Medicaid enrollees, the undercount is now in the range of the national average (20%-25%). The increase in the number of Medicaid enrollees and the decrease in the number of uninsured are in line with estimates presented in the Center’s report.
To see the 2005 CPS released on August 29, 2006, click here.
August 31, 2006