Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Enrollees In Pa.’s Medicaid Expansion Locked Out Of Substance Abuse Services
An apparent glitch in enrolling Pennsylvania residents into that state’s Medicaid expansion, which was championed by former Gov. Tom Corbett, limits mental health and addiction services for enrollees.
Judge Orders California To Make Timely Decisions On Medicaid Coverage
A California judge has ruled that the state must make timely decisions on Medi-Cal applicants, and that those who have waited more than 45 days for approval from the state can get temporary coverage.
California Takes Different Path On Insuring Immigrants Living In U.S. Illegally
Local initiatives offer free care and legislation proposes coverage for all regardless of immigration status. Will other states follow suit?
Medicaid Pay Hike Opened Doors For Patients, Study Finds
Patients gained access to primary care doctors as a result of the health law’s pay increase, according to the analysis.
Arkansas Medicaid Plan Offers Mixed Lessons
An influential Texas group says Arkansas’ experiment using federal money to buy private insurance for the poor has cost more than expected and should not be emulated by other states.
High Court Weighs Whether Providers Can Sue States Over Medicaid Pay
The Idaho case is being closely watched by states that want to stop such lawsuits, as well as by patient advocates and providers who say patients’ access to care depends on fair rates.
Applying For Pa. Medicaid Expansion? Wait In Line
Only about a third of an estimated 150,000 people who applied for the program so far have been enrolled, say officials.
Supreme Court Battle Brewing Over Medicaid Fees
States say government should be able to set rates without courts stepping in. Patient advocates and providers say intervention is needed to improve access.
Might Your Workers Be Eligible For Medicaid? Start-Up Helps Employers Find Out
BeneStream screens for Medicaid-eligible workers, creating a win-win for both employers and employees.
Medicaid’s Western Push Hits Montana
After sitting out the first full year of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, lawmakers in Montana have moved on to arguing — not about whether — but about how much federal cash to pull down.
Lots Of Responsibility For In-Home Care Providers — But No Training Required
The lack of instruction even in CPR and first aid in California program puts clients at risk, according to experts, advocates and some caregivers.
As Caregiving Shifts To The Home, Scrutiny Is Lacking
California’s publicly funded in-home care program leaves elderly and disabled clients vulnerable to abuse and poor treatment, Kaiser Health News investigation finds.
When Home And Health Are Just Out Of Reach
Health insurance doesn’t pay for housing, but sometimes that is what a patient needs most. A Medicaid experiment, called Money Follows The Person, helps some elderly and disabled people move out of institutions into their own homes.
How A State’s Choice On Medicaid Expansion Affects Hospitals
In negotiating the creation of the Affordable Care Act, hospitals took a big gamble, with the expectation that they would soon have millions of new Medicaid customers. In states that expanded Medicaid, the bet paid off. Sarah Varney of Kaiser Health News reports on financial gains made by some hospitals as more patients are able to pay their bills, and the heavy price being paid by hospitals in states that opted against expansion.
As Docs Face Big Cuts In Medicaid Pay, Patients May Pay The Price
The health law offered a two-year pay raise for primary care doctors who see Medicaid patients to entice them to participate, but that expires Dec. 31.
Medicaid Privatization May Pose Risk To Those With Complicated Health Needs
Florida’s decision to privatize government-subsidized healthcare for more than 3 million Medicaid recipients will lower costs and improve care, state leaders say. But the new managed care system is also exposing some Floridians in Medicaid, the state/federal insurance program for children, the poor and disabled, to the uncertainties of the private market for the first […]
Alaska’s New Governor Sets Sights On Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Bill Walker, an Independent, campaigned on Medicaid expansion and now he has to pitch it to a reluctant Republican legislature.
Nearly 9 Percent Of Medicaid Births Delivered Early For No Medical Reason
Study finds that early elective delivery rates are declining but authorities say they are still too high, leading to worse health outcomes for mothers and children.
Medicaid Expansion By Any Other Name May Fly For Florida Lawmakers
Coalition, which includes some prominent Republicans, pushes “free market” alternative.
Former HHS Official Calls For ‘Smarter’ Networks That Deliver Cost-Effective Care
Gary Cohen, a former deputy administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says the challenge for regulators and insurers is to create networks that not only save money but also deliver better patient outcomes.
