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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Doctor shortage feared as Medicaid rolls swell

'It was built on an antiquated system'

(NYTIMES) — WASHINGTON —
Just as millions of people are gaining insurance through Medicaid, the program is poised to make deep cuts in payments to many doctors, prompting some physicians and consumer advocates to warn that the reductions could make it more difficult for Medicaid patients to obtain care.

The Affordable Care Act provided a big increase in Medicaid payments for primary care in 2013 and 2014. But the increase expires on Thursday — just weeks after the Obama administration told the Supreme Court that doctors and other providers had no legal right to challenge the adequacy of payments they received from Medicaid.

The impact will vary by state, but a study by the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, estimates that doctors who have been receiving the enhanced payments will see their fees for primary care cut by 43 percent, on average.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I received a medical card from the VA last week entitling me to medical treatment from non VA facilities. None of the doctors want to deal with the VA , don't blame them.
It takes 6 months to a year to get paid , if it ever happens.
Just opens the door for more fraud in our system.
Another screwed up government decision.

Anonymous said...

The death panel decides who is seen.