Under new regulations brought on by healthcare reform, Tennessee's Medicaid program may need to add up to 500,000 individuals to its rolls — a move that could have the potential to cripple the program despite its major overhaul over the last eight years, according to a report by The Tennessean.
Since taking office in 2002, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen cut more than 500,000 people from TennCare's rolls, significantly reforming the program and staving off a state budget crisis.
Hospitals in the state agreed to a 3.5 percent fee assessment in 2010 to prevent further cuts in the program.
Despite these reforms, the program will continue to face funding challenges. In July, the program could lose $1 billion after stimulus money and other temporary funding ends, according to the report.
If the program is forced to expand its roles as a result of reform, it is expected to face further challenges as well.
Read The Tennessean report on TennCare.
Read more coverage on Medicaid:
- State Medicaid Programs to Get $206M for Enrolling More Children
- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit by Massachusetts Hospitals Over Medicaid Payments
Since taking office in 2002, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen cut more than 500,000 people from TennCare's rolls, significantly reforming the program and staving off a state budget crisis.
Hospitals in the state agreed to a 3.5 percent fee assessment in 2010 to prevent further cuts in the program.
Despite these reforms, the program will continue to face funding challenges. In July, the program could lose $1 billion after stimulus money and other temporary funding ends, according to the report.
If the program is forced to expand its roles as a result of reform, it is expected to face further challenges as well.
Read The Tennessean report on TennCare.
Read more coverage on Medicaid:
- State Medicaid Programs to Get $206M for Enrolling More Children
- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit by Massachusetts Hospitals Over Medicaid Payments