Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
States Turning To Private Firms To Manage Medicaid's Long-Term Care Services
Modern Healthcare: Managed-Care Plans Are Taking Over Long-Term Care For Medicaid Programs
States are increasingly turning to private firms to provide managed long-term supports and services (MLTSS). Their goal is to rein in costs and increase budget predictability. Officials say it enables delivery of more coordinated care and prevents sending people to expensive nursing home settings. But some advocates are claiming that they are seeing care suffer under the model. Researchers who study the issue say the concern may be driven more by a fear of change than any actual shortcomings in care. (Dickson, 11/26)
Naples (Fla.) Daily News: Some Florida Nursing Homes Could Lose Money In Proposed Medicaid Plan
With the threat of a tight year for next year’s state budget, legislators will consider a plan to streamline payments for nursing homes that accept Medicaid. But some nursing home operators say the new payment system will leave them at a loss. One state lawmaker believes the plan, known as the Nursing Home Prospective Payment System, will help the Legislature better predict how much money should be set aside for the state’s Medicaid program. (Sarkissian, 11/26)
The Associated Press: Alabama Medicaid Change To Managed Care Postponed Till October
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says Medicaid's shift to managed care will be pushed back from July to October amid uncertainty about funding and what changes the Trump administration might bring to Medicaid. The governor, a licensed doctor, said he is committed to moving forward with the switch to managed care, but said there are a few unknowns, including funding for next fiscal year and if the Trump administration will give states block grants allowing more flexibility to write the rules for their programs. (11/25)
