Washington state legislators have approved a budget agreement that provides $8.8 million for a new emergency department policy for Medicaid patients, according to an American Medical News report.
The new policy, which may go into effect by July, focuses on improving coordination of care and preventing unnecessary ED visits through education and best practices.
This agreement follows a legislative and legal battle between the state and emergency physicians, according to the report. The state originally planned to halt Medicaid payments for conditions deemed not medically necessary for the ED. The governor delayed its implementation, however, when emergency physicians proposed the new plan. The physicians said discontinuing Medicaid payments for certain conditions would reduce patients' access to care and shift the cost burden to physicians and hospitals.
Washington State Suspends Medicaid ER Limits
Washington Medicaid Won't Reimburse for "Unnecessary" ER Visits
The new policy, which may go into effect by July, focuses on improving coordination of care and preventing unnecessary ED visits through education and best practices.
This agreement follows a legislative and legal battle between the state and emergency physicians, according to the report. The state originally planned to halt Medicaid payments for conditions deemed not medically necessary for the ED. The governor delayed its implementation, however, when emergency physicians proposed the new plan. The physicians said discontinuing Medicaid payments for certain conditions would reduce patients' access to care and shift the cost burden to physicians and hospitals.
More Articles on Washington Medicaid:
Washington Physicians Aim to Reduce ED Overutilization Through Care CoordinationWashington State Suspends Medicaid ER Limits
Washington Medicaid Won't Reimburse for "Unnecessary" ER Visits