Medicaid agencies and health plans must communicate important information to members to help them effectively engage with the health care system. Yet, with nearly nine out of 10 adults in the United States facing challenges with health literacy, hard-to-understand communications about health coverage and services can lead to difficulties navigating the health care system, greater costs, and even increased morbidity and mortality. Since this issue disproportionately affects marginalized populations, enhancing clear communication is crucial for advancing health equity and narrowing disparities among Medicaid populations.

This panel gathered Medicaid stakeholders from state agencies, plans, and at the community member level to explore opportunities to enhance health equity by addressing health literacy. Panelists explored practical steps that state agencies and health plans can take to address health literacy through improved communications, national cultural and language access standards (such as CLAS), and community engagement.