CMS has rejected several proposed cuts within Arizona's Medicaid system, including the request to deny coverage for 60,000 poor parents with family income between 75 and 100 percent of the federal poverty level, according to a Cronkite News report.
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state's Medicaid program, had several requests approved, including $4 co-payments on non-emergency medical transportation for childless adults and a $3 missed medical appointment fee, according to the report. Gov. Jan Brewer and the state had hoped to save $500 million on its proposed cuts, but roughly $52 million in projected savings were rejected.
CMS acknowledged that some changes to the AHCCCS were necessary for the state's solvency, but its decisions were not guided by those savings alone. Some decisions remain on the table, such as a proposed Safety Net Care Pool, which would siphon local funds to help healthcare providers cover costs outside of Medicaid.
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The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state's Medicaid program, had several requests approved, including $4 co-payments on non-emergency medical transportation for childless adults and a $3 missed medical appointment fee, according to the report. Gov. Jan Brewer and the state had hoped to save $500 million on its proposed cuts, but roughly $52 million in projected savings were rejected.
CMS acknowledged that some changes to the AHCCCS were necessary for the state's solvency, but its decisions were not guided by those savings alone. Some decisions remain on the table, such as a proposed Safety Net Care Pool, which would siphon local funds to help healthcare providers cover costs outside of Medicaid.
Related Articles on Arizona Medicaid:
Arizona Court of Appeals to Consider Appeal of Reductions in State Medicaid ProgramFederal Appeals Court Strikes Down Arizona Medicaid Co-Payments
Judge Rules Arizona Can Move Forward With Medicaid Cuts