Washington State recently approved a provision within its Medicaid program in which it will no longer pay hospitals for any emergency department visit deemed as "unnecessary," and the American College of Emergency Physicians said this approach will put potential ED patients at "substantial risk."
A recent study of Oregon patients by Robert Lowe, MD, professor at Oregon Health and Science University, analyzed more than 2.7 million emergency visits in Oregon from 2001 to 2005 and applied the same research results to Washington. The study estimated that more than 18,000 patients sick enough to need hospitalization would have been denied ED care if they were Medicaid patients living in Washington.
"The Washington State Medicaid plan is flawed because it assumes that physicians know the final diagnosis when a patient walks in the door," Dr. Lowe said in the news release.
ACEP President David Seaberg, MD, added that, "No patient should ever be in the position of having to diagnose him [or herself]. Physicians also often can't make a diagnosis without running tests."
Washington has said the overuse of hospital EDs by Medicaid patients has contributed to more than $21 million in excess costs per year, and instead, Medicaid patients should seek care with primary care medical homes first.
A recent study of Oregon patients by Robert Lowe, MD, professor at Oregon Health and Science University, analyzed more than 2.7 million emergency visits in Oregon from 2001 to 2005 and applied the same research results to Washington. The study estimated that more than 18,000 patients sick enough to need hospitalization would have been denied ED care if they were Medicaid patients living in Washington.
"The Washington State Medicaid plan is flawed because it assumes that physicians know the final diagnosis when a patient walks in the door," Dr. Lowe said in the news release.
ACEP President David Seaberg, MD, added that, "No patient should ever be in the position of having to diagnose him [or herself]. Physicians also often can't make a diagnosis without running tests."
Washington has said the overuse of hospital EDs by Medicaid patients has contributed to more than $21 million in excess costs per year, and instead, Medicaid patients should seek care with primary care medical homes first.
More Articles on Washington Medicaid:
Washington Medicaid Won't Reimburse for "Unnecessary" ER Visits
Washington State Selects Medicaid Managed Care Provider
Washington State Judge Rules Against ER Limit for Medicaid Patients