State Highlights: In Move To Fight Fraud, Minn. Cuts Ties With Mental Health Agency; Fla. ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Law Upheld
News outlets report on health care developments in Minnesota, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Georgia and Ohio.
Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Minnesota Terminates Payments To Large Mental Health Agency Accused Of Bilking Medicaid
In a highly unusual move, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has terminated payments to a large Twin Cities mental health provider accused of overbilling Medicaid by millions of dollars. The move is part of a broader state effort to crack down on Medicaid fraud, but it is also prompting fears that dozens of people with psychiatric disorders could be stranded without necessary services. (Serres, 12/15)
News Service Of Florida:
Court Again Upholds 'Docs Vs. Glocks' Law
Rejecting constitutional arguments, a federal appeals court Monday again upheld a controversial Florida law that restricts doctors from asking questions and recording information about patients' gun ownership. After a July ruling by a three-judge panel, opponents of the 2011 law asked for the full appeals court to take up the issue. Instead, the same three-judge panel issued a revised ruling Monday that unanimously backed the law. (12/15)
Health News Florida:
Health Care Groups Offer Support For Proposed Price Transparency Database
Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed state budget includes $5 million for the creation of a database that would show all the costs and expenses associated with hospital treatment and other health care. Scott says hospitals would have to post what they actually get paid for every procedure in order to prevent price gouging. He says patients and insurance companies should know the cost of health care treatments up front, just as consumers know the cost of items at the grocery store. (Jordan, 12/15)
The Washington Post:
Obamacare Enrollment Numbers Increasing Despite Funding Issues
Maryland's Prince George’s County officials are projecting an estimated 30 percent drop in the number of uninsured residents and modest increases in new enrollees. “It’s having a significant impact,” County ACA program manager Shari Curtis says. (Hernández, 12/15)
St. Louis Public Radio:
Two Weeks Before Deadline, Health Program Gets A One-Year Extension
About 20,000 uninsured adults in St. Louis city and county will have access to basic health services for another year, after the federal government approved a one-year grant extension Tuesday. Coverage for 2015 was scheduled to expire on December 31. The measure sends up to $30 million to the Gateway to Better Health Program, which is intended as a stop-gap for people who would have been covered if the state of Missouri had expanded Medicaid. (Bouscaren, 12/15)
Georgia Health News:
State Senator Expects Legislation On Insurance Reforms
Problems with insurers’ contracts with physicians — and with their provider networks — are likely to spark legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session, a key state senator said Monday. State Sen. Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge), who chaired a legislative study committee reviewing insurer networks and contracts, told GHN that the panel’s work may lead to three separate bills in the Legislature next year. (MIller, 12/15)
The Columbus Dispatch:
Health Insurers In Ohio Must Keep Provider Directories Up-To-Date
Watchful Ohioans will gain some protection from surprise medical bills as well as greater knowledge about insurance plans’ provider networks under a rule that takes effect in January. The rule, put in place by the state Department of Insurance, will require health-insurance companies to update their directories of health-care providers at least every three months. (Sutherly, 12/15)
