Medicaid Pay Raise Boosted Access To Primary Care
A 10-state study found that Medicaid enrollees had an easier time getting appointments with primary care doctors as a result of the temporary pay raise which expired Dec. 31.
Politico Pro:
Study Finds Medicaid 'Bump' Increased Primary Care Access
The Medicaid bump made it easier for beneficiaries to get appointments, according to a study released three weeks after the payment boost expired. (Wheaton, 1/21)
Kaiser Health News:
Medicaid Pay Hike Opened Doors For Patients, Study Finds
"Money talks. A temporary Medicaid pay raise that was part of President Barack Obama’s health law made it easier for poor adults to get appointments with primary care doctors, according to a study published Wednesday. Paying more to doctors who participate in the federal-state insurance program for the poor usually improves access for patients, but the law’s two-year limit on the raise, its slow rollout and other regulatory problems made many skeptical about how physicians would react to the extra money — which in many states equated to a 50 percent pay hike or more. (Galewitz, 1/21)
