PIERRE S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Last year’s Medicaid expansion in South Dakota increased eligibility to another 51-thousand adults. But the latest report shows, of all people across the state who qualify, only 39-percent are enrolled. Groups likely to be uninsured include young adults and American Indian young adults. About half of those who are uninsured now qualify for Medicaid benefits. Kids Count Director Xanna Burg says low enrollment rates are, in part, due to timing. She says the expansion was rolling out just as states were ending the federal requirement that kept everyone on Medicaid covered during the pandemic.
Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff has said some people who were disenrolled are making more income and no longer qualify, and this should be celebrated. The expansion increased the income level for households to qualify – from over $14,000 a year for a family of four, to about $43,000.
State officials say it could take up to two years to reach full enrollment.