Straight Medicaid vs. Managed Medicaid - Which is Best?

Straight Medicaid and Managed Medicaid are both state and federally-funded programs aimed at providing health insurance coverage for low-income individuals. Both cover a broad range of health services with eligibility primarily based on income level and family size, among other factors. Differences lie in service delivery and provider flexibility. Straight Medicaid operates via a fee-for-service model, paying healthcare providers directly per rendered service, whereas Managed Medicaid contracts with private healthcare organizations that are paid a fixed amount per enrollee. 

Enrollees of Straight Medicaid have more flexibility in provider choice while Managed Medicaid enrollees must stick to providers within their assigned network. The two also vary in cost structures and care coordination initiatives. Managed Medicaid often emphasizes care coordination with additional services like case management, unlike Straight Medicaid.