More Nevada Specialists Participating in Medicaid Despite Reimbursement Cuts, Survey Finds

More Nevada specialists are participating in Medicaid, despite recent cuts to some reimbursement rates, according to a state survey, the Las Vegas Sun reports. The state Legislature had allocated $17 million to increase physician reimbursements this month, but state budget cuts prevented the rate increase.

A Nevada Health and Human Services Division of Health Care Financing and Policy survey found:

• 96.3% of the state's obstetrician-gynecologists have signed up to accept Medicaid beneficiaries, compared with 71% in 2006;
  
  
• 88% of psychiatrists are participating in Medicaid this year, compared with 58% in 2006;
  
  
• Participation among dermatologists, gastroenterologists and neurologists increased by 20% each;
  
  
• Participation declined among general practice physicians from 71% in 2006 to 68% this year, general surgeons from 77% in 2006 to 58% this year and internists from 94% in 2006 to 79% this year; and
  
  
• No urologists in the state participate in Medicaid.