Joseph
November 29th, 2009, 01:14
http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-healthcare-authority-budget-slicing-hits-medicaid/article/3420630?custom_click=pod_headline_health
Go here and post; there is already a circumcision storm brewing.
If you are Oklahoman, WRITE TO YOUR LEADERS!
Oklahoma Healthcare Authority: Budget slicing hits Medicaid
Healthcare Authority funding drops
BY VALLERY BROWN - Staff Writer
Published: November 27, 2009
Budget woes at the state agency in charge of Medicaid likely will result in fewer services to patients and lower payments to providers, officials at the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority said.
The agency’s board of directors will decide how to reduce its budget during a Dec. 10 meeting. The healthcare authority administers the state’s Medicaid program. Last year, it provided coverage and services to about 825,000 Oklahomans.
State Medicaid Director Dr. Lynn Mitchell said the mandatory 5 percent cut in budget allocations from the state means the agency needs to make $26.6 million in cuts. So far, it has reduced costs by about $9.8 million.
"We were able to absorb some of the cuts, but we find ourselves at the point where we need to re-evaluate or give up some things to move on,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said every state dollar eliminated makes them lose three federal dollars to run Medicaid. For every dollar spent by the state, the federal government gives $3 to the program. Overall, about $105 million in state and federal funding for the program will be cut.
Possible service cuts include dental coverage for pregnant women, circumcision for infants and coverage of some durable medical equipment used in the home, such as hospital beds, nebulizers and blood glucose monitors.
Early estimates by the agency suggest that eliminating coverage of adult durable medical equipment could affect as many as 56,000 patients.
Mitchell said increasing co-pays, limiting emergency room visits for patients and reducing the reimbursement rates for hospitals, physicians and other providers also is an option the board will discuss. Most cuts would be for adult services, since the state is not required to cover some of them.
Businesses, patients could be affected
Teresa Schoonmaker of Mike’s Medical in Midwest City, a durable medical equipment provider, said the healthcare authority hosted a meeting for equipment providers in the state on Nov. 18.
Like many of the 65 providers in attendance, she is concerned that eliminating coverage may land some adult Medicaid patients in hospitals or nursing homes because they can’t afford home equipment.
Providers fear jobs will be lost if sales fall or reimbursement rates are reduced, said Stan Ruffner, durable medical equipment program director for the healthcare authority.
"We’re taking their comments to heart,” Ruffner said.
Schoonmaker said her concern is how far the cuts will reach.
"The country needs to cut back, but not at the expense of business, employees and patients in need,” Schoonmaker said. "Is it worth it if federal money is lost and people who were doing well at home now have to move into nursing homes?”
Mitchell said the agency is listening to concerns going into the December meeting.
The five-member board of directors will look over a list of possible cuts and reductions. She said once the economy rebounds, the board likely will do another review to see what services it can bring back.
Mitchell said she’s not sure how quickly the changes will be implemented once they are approved.
Go here and post; there is already a circumcision storm brewing.
If you are Oklahoman, WRITE TO YOUR LEADERS!
Oklahoma Healthcare Authority: Budget slicing hits Medicaid
Healthcare Authority funding drops
BY VALLERY BROWN - Staff Writer
Published: November 27, 2009
Budget woes at the state agency in charge of Medicaid likely will result in fewer services to patients and lower payments to providers, officials at the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority said.
The agency’s board of directors will decide how to reduce its budget during a Dec. 10 meeting. The healthcare authority administers the state’s Medicaid program. Last year, it provided coverage and services to about 825,000 Oklahomans.
State Medicaid Director Dr. Lynn Mitchell said the mandatory 5 percent cut in budget allocations from the state means the agency needs to make $26.6 million in cuts. So far, it has reduced costs by about $9.8 million.
"We were able to absorb some of the cuts, but we find ourselves at the point where we need to re-evaluate or give up some things to move on,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said every state dollar eliminated makes them lose three federal dollars to run Medicaid. For every dollar spent by the state, the federal government gives $3 to the program. Overall, about $105 million in state and federal funding for the program will be cut.
Possible service cuts include dental coverage for pregnant women, circumcision for infants and coverage of some durable medical equipment used in the home, such as hospital beds, nebulizers and blood glucose monitors.
Early estimates by the agency suggest that eliminating coverage of adult durable medical equipment could affect as many as 56,000 patients.
Mitchell said increasing co-pays, limiting emergency room visits for patients and reducing the reimbursement rates for hospitals, physicians and other providers also is an option the board will discuss. Most cuts would be for adult services, since the state is not required to cover some of them.
Businesses, patients could be affected
Teresa Schoonmaker of Mike’s Medical in Midwest City, a durable medical equipment provider, said the healthcare authority hosted a meeting for equipment providers in the state on Nov. 18.
Like many of the 65 providers in attendance, she is concerned that eliminating coverage may land some adult Medicaid patients in hospitals or nursing homes because they can’t afford home equipment.
Providers fear jobs will be lost if sales fall or reimbursement rates are reduced, said Stan Ruffner, durable medical equipment program director for the healthcare authority.
"We’re taking their comments to heart,” Ruffner said.
Schoonmaker said her concern is how far the cuts will reach.
"The country needs to cut back, but not at the expense of business, employees and patients in need,” Schoonmaker said. "Is it worth it if federal money is lost and people who were doing well at home now have to move into nursing homes?”
Mitchell said the agency is listening to concerns going into the December meeting.
The five-member board of directors will look over a list of possible cuts and reductions. She said once the economy rebounds, the board likely will do another review to see what services it can bring back.
Mitchell said she’s not sure how quickly the changes will be implemented once they are approved.