N.C. Health Dept. Acknowledges Potential Medicaid Data Breach
In other state Medicaid news, Iowa officials struggle to document savings they claim will result from hiring private companies to managed the health insurance program for low-income people; and, in Texas, the state appeals a judge's order regarding proposed cuts in payments for therapists.
WRAL (Raleigh, N.C.):
DHHS Reveals Potential Medicaid Data Breach
The state Department of Health and Human Services says a breach of security protocol may have compromised the confidential health information of 1,615 Medicaid patients. Agency spokeswoman Kendra Gerlach said the agency mailed out letters Friday to affected patients, informing them of the possible breach. (Leslie, 10/16)
The Des Moines Register:
Iowa Can't Show The Math Of Medicaid Savings Estimate
A state agency says it has no documents or even a list of experts consulted to support its claim that a controversial plan to hire private companies to manage its Medicaid program would save taxpayers $51 million during its first six months. The absence of any public data behind the estimate is significant because the Legislature relied on the projection when it approved the budget for the current fiscal year, which began July 1. (Clayworth, 10/16)
Dallas Morning News:
Texas Appeals Judge’s Order That Blocked Medicaid Cuts
The state has appealed a judge’s ruling that blocked pay cuts for therapists who treat more than a quarter-million Medicaid patients. The Health and Human Services Commission said Travis County District Court Judge Tim Sulak misinterpreted state regulations on Medicaid rates. (Garrett, 10/16)
