The Departments of Social Services, Mental Health and Senior Services have submitted 14 recommendations in a 25-page report to Governor Matt Blunt on how to fix Medicaid.
Step one, change the name. Medicaid, will be known as HealthNet, if Governor Blunt has his way.
Within the recommendations there is a major focus on wellness. The report recommends that (Medicaid) recipients participate in health risk assessments, as well as develop a plan with a coordinator to improve their health status and "encourage healthy behavior."
Incentives through credits would be given to (Medicaid) recipients who agree to take part in an agreed list of behaviors. Home healthcare providers would become a big part of the program. Physicians reimbursement rates would be increased in line with Medicare rates and pay for performance methods could be implemented.
There's a vague recommendation to "expand strategies that reduce waste, fraud and abuse."
Finally, reducing the amount of uninsured would be a goal of Mo HealthNet by small employer premium offsets, extending HealthNet to those with disabilities, extending coverage to youth aging out of the foster care system and redefining eligibility for children.
"I understand their recommendations are built on the foundation created by the joint Medicaid Reform Commission and look forward to working with members of the General Assembly to continue the work they initiated," Governor Blunt said in a release.
The Governor will review the recommendations and then work to craft legislation with lawmakers. He is expected to present a formal recommendation to the general assembly early next year.
You can read the entire report HERE, then click on the Medicaid Transformation Report on the left tab.
No comments:
Post a Comment