Clare Medicaid issued $65,886 in payments for COVID-19 services in 2024

In 2024, Medicaid payments in Clare totaled at least $65,886 for services billed under HCPCS codes specifically related to COVID-19, based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid Provider Spending database.

Medicaid, administered by the states and financed through joint contributions from federal and state budgets, provides health insurance to low-income populations, seniors, children, and people with disabilities, making it one of the nation’s primary health care programs.

Since Medicaid funds originate from taxpayers, variations in local billing demonstrate shifts in how health care spending is distributed within a given community.

To determine COVID-19–related claims, only HCPCS codes labeled or categorized as “COVID-19” or “coronavirus” in billing records or data references were included. Therefore, the totals cover just those services tagged as COVID-19 in administrative data and omit services that could be pandemic-related but were submitted under different or broader medical codes.

Detroit had the highest Medicaid payout for COVID-19 services in Michigan for 2024, recording $432,564 in related claims.

On a per-provider basis in Clare, the average Medicaid payment for COVID-19 services was $32,943, which is higher than the state average of $11,005 for such services.

During pandemic periods, Medicaid’s spending growth in Clare was significantly influenced by claims for COVID-19–labeled services.

Total Medicaid payouts for all other categories rose by $2,793,969 between 2020 and 2024, amounting to an 86.4% rise.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, combined federal and state Medicaid outlays approached $871.7 billion in the 2023 fiscal year, accounting for about 18% of the entire nation’s health expenditures, which marks a significant increase from $613.5 billion in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

This roughly 40% increase over a few years has largely been attributed to surges in Medicaid enrollment and greater demand during and following the pandemic period.

Recent federal legislative measures during the Trump administration included notable proposals to reduce the federal contribution to Medicaid and revamp the system. Notably, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” enacted in 2025, is slated to reduce federal Medicaid spending by more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years and introduces new policies like work requirements and expanded cost-sharing, potentially affecting funding and coverage for certain enrollees. These shifts are set to shift more costs to the states and to restrain federal support growth, even as Medicaid continues serving tens of millions across the country.

Note: Totals reflect only HCPCS codes that are expressly labeled for COVID-19 services; not all pandemic-connected health costs are included.

This report draws on information obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid Provider Spending database, available here.