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Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states.

Medical debt crisis worsening in America despite advances in health care policy

NerdWallet Health, a consumer advocacy site committed to helping patients make smarter decisions and save money on their health care, today released a study finding the medical debt crisis in America is worsening despite advances in health care policy.

8 Oct 2014

Physical therapy before joint replacement surgery reduces need for postoperative care by nearly 30%

Physical therapy after total hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is standard care for all patients. A new study, appearing in the October 1 issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery), also found that physical therapy before joint replacement surgery, or "prehabilitation," can diminish the need for postoperative care by nearly 30 percent, saving an average of $1,215 per patient in skilled nursing facility, home health agency or other postoperative care.

8 Oct 2014

Viewpoints: Relatively few face insurance cancellations; new doctor payment site is 'impenetrable'

People are starting to get letters telling them their health insurance plans have been canceled because of the Affordable Care Act. Because the letters will go out just before the midterm congressional elections, they are likely to get a lot of attention. There have been several stories this past week. But the people affected will represent only a small fraction of the population with health insurance (Margot Sanger-Katz, (10/6).

8 Oct 2014

State highlights: States and drug prices; Ariz. limiting Sovaldi for patients; L.A. boosts uninsured care by $61 million

Because of its high cost, some state Medicaid programs and prison systems are refusing to provide Sovaldi to any but the sickest patients. Most recently, Oregon last month threatened to limit access to the drug unless it can get Sovaldi at a deeply discounted price. But Sovaldi is only the beginning. Expensive new treatments for certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions also have rattled Medicaid officials, patients and health care providers. What can states do to hold down drug costs? Drug pricing is a complicated and opaque process.

8 Oct 2014

RAND study: Specific state guidance can influence patient access to effective heroin treatment

State policies can influence the number of physicians licensed to prescribe buprenorphine, a drug that can treat addiction to heroin and other opioids in outpatient settings, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

8 Oct 2014

N.Y. hospital's unusual outreach to patients saves money

Montefiore saved $24 million last year and are part of the accountable care organization pilot projects set up by the health law. Also, in Texas, federal officials are withholding funds while they probe a Medicaid financing plan.

8 Oct 2014

As next enrollment period approaches, states wrestle with exchange issues from last year

In Washington state, officials are still trying to resolve billing and computer issues related to 1,300 accounts. In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick says the problem-plagued website is now fixed and ready to go when enrollment opens Nov. 15, but at an additional cost of $26 million. And in Minnesota, a new plan enters the MNSure marketplace.

8 Oct 2014

Survey: Many U.S. adults support equal healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrant children

Access to health insurance is very limited for immigrants living in the U.S. - both undocumented immigrants and permanent residents. But a new survey has found that many U.S. adults who work on behalf of children think undocumented immigrant children should have access to healthcare equal to that of U.S.-born children.

7 Oct 2014

State highlights: Ohio Medicaid and senior annuities; Mich. extends Medicaid dental coverage for kids

A war is being waged in Ohio over whether elderly couples with one person in a nursing home can buy an annuity to keep the other from going broke -- and still apply for public assistance. Elder-law attorneys say the state isn't following federal laws regarding Medicaid-compliant annuities, and that's hurting middle-class seniors who worked hard and saved for a rainy day. Several courts seem to agree, with one judge recently putting the state on notice that it could lose millions of dollars in federal funding if it doesn't change its ways (Pyle, 10/6).

7 Oct 2014

Many nursing homes still lack fire sprinklers

More than 50,000 people are living in nursing homes without adequate fire sprinkler systems, a year after the deadline set by the federal government, according to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal looks at lawyers who specialize in suing for-profit nursing homes for abuse and neglect.

7 Oct 2014

Indiana gov. pitches Obama on his brand of Medicaid expansion

Gov. Mike Pence discussed his proposal to expand Medicaid directly with President Barack Obama on Friday. The Republican governor is seeking a federal waiver to be able to require low-income recipients to pay a nominal fee toward their premiums.

7 Oct 2014

Calif. won't challenge 2015 rate increases

The state's regulators didn't raise concerns about premium increases for the 10 plans in California's online marketplace. In addition, enrollment efforts make news in Missouri and Minnesota.

7 Oct 2014

As new Obamacare enrollment period approaches, challenges loom

Officials hope to renew coverage for the 15 million people who signed up last year as well as expand the pool by another 10 million, but there are concerns about consumer costs and choices.

6 Oct 2014

Supreme Court to hear Idaho Medicaid rate case

The case centers on whether private health care providers can force the state to raise its Medicaid rates because of the rising cost of services.

3 Oct 2014

Viewpoints: Another troubled website rollout; insurers fight consumer measures in Calif.

If the federal government's new Open Payments website were a consumer product, it would be returned to the manufacturer for a full refund. Open Payments is the government's site for publishing payments made to doctors and teaching hospitals by drug and medical device manufacturers. It includes 4.4 million payments, worth $3.5 billion, to more than half a million doctors and almost 1,360 teaching hospitals (Charles Ornstein, 10/1).

3 Oct 2014

State highlights: Infant mortality rises in D.C.; Medicaid managed care rates

The District's infant mortality rate ticked up in 2012, city officials announced Wednesday -- an unwelcome development that comes amid the loss of a key federal grant and the launch of a new effort to reduce infant deaths (DeBonis, 10/1).

3 Oct 2014

Some employers weigh options as coverage requirement approaches

The Wall Street Journal reports that some employers are contemplating reducing their number of full-time employees so they can avoid complying with this requirement. Meanwhile, the Magic Valley Times-News in Idaho reports on how this decision making can play out.

3 Oct 2014

Study: Expanding Medicaid boosts health care access and use in rural populations

A new study in Health Services Research reveals that expanding Medicaid to cover more adults boosts health care access and use in rural populations.

3 Oct 2014

Health exchange's one-year mark: Looking forward, looking back

As of Oct. 1, the health law's online marketplaces have been up and running for a year. News outlets offer status reports on what appears to have gone well, what problems remain as the second open enrollment period approaches and how these factors are playing politically.

3 Oct 2014

Open payments database debuts, detailing financial connections between physicians and drug makers

Consumer advocates have pushed for years for this kind of government database in an effort to protect against physicians' conflicts of interest, to safeguard patient care and to prevent unnecessary costs to public health programs.

1 Oct 2014

Medicaid News and Research

Medical debt crisis worsening in America despite advances in health care policy

Physical therapy before joint replacement surgery reduces need for postoperative care by nearly 30%

Viewpoints: Relatively few face insurance cancellations; new doctor payment site is 'impenetrable'

State highlights: States and drug prices; Ariz. limiting Sovaldi for patients; L.A. boosts uninsured care by $61 million

RAND study: Specific state guidance can influence patient access to effective heroin treatment

N.Y. hospital's unusual outreach to patients saves money

As next enrollment period approaches, states wrestle with exchange issues from last year

Survey: Many U.S. adults support equal healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrant children

State highlights: Ohio Medicaid and senior annuities; Mich. extends Medicaid dental coverage for kids

Many nursing homes still lack fire sprinklers

Indiana gov. pitches Obama on his brand of Medicaid expansion

Calif. won't challenge 2015 rate increases

As new Obamacare enrollment period approaches, challenges loom

Supreme Court to hear Idaho Medicaid rate case

Viewpoints: Another troubled website rollout; insurers fight consumer measures in Calif.

State highlights: Infant mortality rises in D.C.; Medicaid managed care rates

Some employers weigh options as coverage requirement approaches

Study: Expanding Medicaid boosts health care access and use in rural populations

Health exchange's one-year mark: Looking forward, looking back

Open payments database debuts, detailing financial connections between physicians and drug makers

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