NC Medicaid Choice Coalition Urges Reform of Medicaid to Bring Budget Certainty and Improve Patient Care for Recipients
The North Carolina State Budget Office has revealed a costly amount of back payments in physician reimbursements for elderly and needy that will result in an undetermined amount of liabilities for the Medicaid program. NC Medicaid Choice spokesperson Taylor Griffin issued the following statement on the disappointing news:
“Once again, a late revelation about Medicaid costs and the impact on our state’s budget underscores the urgent need for real reform to North Carolina’s Medicaid program. Reform that shifts risk from the state to managed care companies and health plans offered by physicians and hospitals will bring budget certainty that protects taxpayers while improving care for Medicaid beneficiaries.
“This announcement comes in the wake of years of annual budget shortfalls running into the hundreds of millions and further clouds the state budget picture, and could threaten funding for schools, teachers, roads, and other important priorities.
“Medicaid reforms, such as those already in place in 39 states, are the only real solution to bring Medicaid spending under control. Managed care protects taxpayers and improves quality of care by offering Medicaid beneficiaries a choice of health plans offered by insurance companies and health care providers that assume financial risk for unexpected costs while ensuring quality care.”