Resources

Older youth face many challenges including continuing health care coverage as they approach adulthood. The ACA provides new coverage for young adults. This 10-state study, conducted by Howell, Pergamit and Chen, provides new data on Medicaid health costs for youth turning 18. On average, boys are more expensive than girls at this age. Three groups are particularly high cost, disabled youth enrolled in Supplemental Security Income, foster care youth, and those with behavioral health problems. These three groups account for less than 20 percent of all youth that age, but over half the cost of Medicaid spending for the population.