Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed legislation that would seek federal permission to implement several exemptions to current Medicaid cost-sharing and benefit standards, according to an American Medical News report.
Under the healthcare reform law, states are required to preserve Medicaid eligibility and enrollment standards that were in place as of March 2011. Among other exemptions, Washington State is asking federal officials to approve the following flexibilities:
• Allow Medicaid services to be paid for through "bundled, global and risk-bearing formulas"
• Obtain authority to reform Medicaid eligibility for efficiency and enroll Medicaid-eligible individuals in employer-sponsored health plans, if possible
• Create cost-sharing and premiums without limiting access to primary care
Gov. Gregoire hopes the proposed exemptions will allow state Medicaid to operate efficiently without cutting Medicaid coverage or hurting access to healthcare.
Read the news report about Washington State's request for Medicaid exemptions.
Related Articles on Washington State Medicaid:
Governors Want Flexibility in State Medicaid Programs
Washington State Supreme Court Reverses Medicaid Cuts
Washington Plan to Cut Medicaid Would Cap ER Visits for Non-Emergencies
Under the healthcare reform law, states are required to preserve Medicaid eligibility and enrollment standards that were in place as of March 2011. Among other exemptions, Washington State is asking federal officials to approve the following flexibilities:
• Allow Medicaid services to be paid for through "bundled, global and risk-bearing formulas"
• Obtain authority to reform Medicaid eligibility for efficiency and enroll Medicaid-eligible individuals in employer-sponsored health plans, if possible
• Create cost-sharing and premiums without limiting access to primary care
Gov. Gregoire hopes the proposed exemptions will allow state Medicaid to operate efficiently without cutting Medicaid coverage or hurting access to healthcare.
Read the news report about Washington State's request for Medicaid exemptions.
Related Articles on Washington State Medicaid:
Governors Want Flexibility in State Medicaid Programs
Washington State Supreme Court Reverses Medicaid Cuts
Washington Plan to Cut Medicaid Would Cap ER Visits for Non-Emergencies