Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Kentucky Congressman Urges Governor To Drop Plan To Revamp Medicaid
Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal: Yarmuth To Bevin: Your Medicaid Plan 'Will Fail'
U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth on Tuesday called on Gov. Matt Bevin to withdraw his proposal to reshape Kentucky's Medicaid program and reconsider his request for a waiver from the federal government to enact the changes. Speaking at a press conference at the Capitol, Yarmuth, a Louisville Democrat, said it's clear that the U.S. Health and Human Services Department will reject the plan because the agency recently rejected similar changes proposed by other states. (Yetter and Loftus, 10/18)
Health News Florida: State Eyes Medicaid-Managed Care Extension
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration will start holding public meetings Tuesday as it moves forward with seeking federal approval of a three-year extension of the state's Medicaid managed-care program. The current federal approval for the program is scheduled to expire June 30, and the proposal seeks an extension through June 30, 2020. State lawmakers in 2011 passed a controversial plan to require most Medicaid beneficiaries statewide to enroll in HMOs or other types of managed-care plans. Federal approval of such decisions, however, is required through what is known as a Medicaid "waiver." (10/18)
St. Louis Post Dispatch: Centene Subsidiary Awarded Expanded Medicaid Contract In Missouri
Centene Corp. will expand its presence in Missouri starting in May 2017. The Clayton-based company will soon manage the health care of Missouri’s Medicaid recipients in every county. Currently, Centene’s subsidiary, Home State Health Plan, manages the health insurance for low-income individuals in 54 counties. Now, Centene will have access to Medicaid members in all 114 counties and St. Louis, according to a statement the company released Tuesday. (Liss, 10/19)
Omaha World-Herald: Nebraska Could Owe Less After Federal Review Of Problems In Billing For Disability Services
Nebraska officials have won a key concession from the federal government regarding payments for services to people with developmental disabilities. But negotiations continue on how much the state will have to repay for a billing problem affecting those services, a Department of Health and Human Services official said Tuesday. (Stoddard, 10/18)
Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star: Medicaid Providers Will Get Temporary Rate Increase
State Developmental Disabilities Director Courtney Miller said Tuesday the department worked out a deal with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that will help ensure providers don't lose money once a new Medicaid waiver is approved after the first of the year. Federal Medicaid authorities will allow an increased rate adjustment as a bridge for providers, until a new evaluation of how rates will be figured can be completed, Miller said. That evaluation could take up to two years. (Young, 10/18)
Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune: State’s Hospitals See Good, Bad From Medicaid Expansion
The first six months of Medicaid expansion in Montana brought more use of hospital services by the 50,000 people enrolled in the program, and medical facilities have seen lower costs due to patients’ inability to pay, according to a report released Tuesday by the Montana Hospital Association. However, it’s not all good news as the report notes the increased Medicaid spending has been offset by lower use by commercially insured patients who paid rates higher than what Medicaid pays. (Drake, 10/18)
