In an effort to control escalating Medicaid costs, several states plan to enforce new limits on Medicaid recipient hospital coverage pending federal approval, according to a Kaiser Health News report.
Hawaii plans to offer the most limited Medicaid coverage: In April 2012, it wants to cap Medicaid hospital coverage to 10 days per year for recipients, according to the report.
Last year, Massachusetts implemented a 20-day stay limit per year, and Arizona plans to limit its hospital coverage for Medicaid patients to 25 days per year as soon as the end of October. According to the report, Alabama (16 days), Arkansas (24 days), Mississippi (30 days) and Florida (45 days) have already restricted their Medicaid coverage.
Limiting hospital stays is not the only tactic states are using to save Medicaid expenses. Some states have boosted enrollment numbers of Medicaid recipients in managed care health plans and have cut Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals — like New Hampshire, according to the report.
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Hawaii plans to offer the most limited Medicaid coverage: In April 2012, it wants to cap Medicaid hospital coverage to 10 days per year for recipients, according to the report.
Last year, Massachusetts implemented a 20-day stay limit per year, and Arizona plans to limit its hospital coverage for Medicaid patients to 25 days per year as soon as the end of October. According to the report, Alabama (16 days), Arkansas (24 days), Mississippi (30 days) and Florida (45 days) have already restricted their Medicaid coverage.
Limiting hospital stays is not the only tactic states are using to save Medicaid expenses. Some states have boosted enrollment numbers of Medicaid recipients in managed care health plans and have cut Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals — like New Hampshire, according to the report.
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