Six months of Medicaid data: a summary from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey.

This is a summary of the first report in a series of three comprehensive Medicaid program reports based on National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey data. Preliminary analyses are presented based on data from the first half of 1980 which include the personal characteristics and medical care utilization patterns of noninstitutional Medicaid enrollees and the health insurance coverage of the U.S. noninstitutionalized population. More comprehensive analyses employing full calendar year 1980 data will be available in subsequent reports. The information provided in this summary is useful in appraising the impact of eligibility, benefit package, and reimbursement policy on Medicaid enrollee health care utilization at both the Federal and the State Medicaid level.