Laurel Medicaid paid $132,056 for COVID-19 services in 2024, representing under 0.1% of total spending

Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid Provider Spending database shows that at least $132,056 in Medicaid payments in Laurel in 2024 were related to services billed under HCPCS codes tied to COVID-19.

Medicaid, a public health insurance program operated by the states and funded through both federal and state governments, provides coverage for low-income families and individuals, seniors, children, and those with disabilities, making it one of the nation’s largest health care coverage programs.

Because Medicaid is taxpayer-funded, changes in billing at the local level illustrate where public health care funds are directed within a community.

In this analysis, only HCPCS codes that are specifically labeled or classified as “COVID-19” or “coronavirus”-related were included, meaning the totals only include direct COVID-related billing and may exclude pandemic-related care filed under broader codes.

To compare, Ripley registered the state’s highest total for Medicaid payments linked to COVID-19 services in Mississippi in 2024, reaching $437,540 in related claims.

Three Laurel providers billed for Medicaid services related to COVID-19 in 2024. The code labeled COVID Specific made up $126,752 of the billed total.

On average, each Laurel provider received $44,019 in Medicaid funds for COVID-19–related services in 2024—above the statewide average of $22,101.

During the pandemic years, Medicaid spending in Laurel rose significantly due to COVID-19-specific claims.

Total Medicaid expenditures in other claim categories increased by $4,431,470 from 2020 to 2024, representing a 25.4% rise.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data shows combined federal and state Medicaid spending was about $871.7 billion in fiscal year 2023, accounting for approximately 18% of total national health spending, up from about $613.5 billion in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

This increase amounts to roughly 40% higher spending in a few years, driven primarily by surges in enrollment and usage through and after the pandemic.

Recent federal budget measures under the Trump administration included plans to reduce federal Medicaid funding and alter the program. Notably, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” enacted in 2025, is expected to cut more than $1 trillion from federal Medicaid disbursements over the next 10 years. It introduces work requirements and additional cost-sharing, potentially reducing coverage and program funding for some groups. These changes are likely to shift more expenses to states and slow the growth of federal Medicaid resources, even as millions continue to rely on the program.

Note: Includes only HCPCS codes specifically labeled for COVID-19 services; figures do not account for all health care spending during the pandemic.

This article’s information is sourced from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid Provider Spending database. Source data are available here.