Debra Zehr and her counterpart at KHCA, Cindy Luxem, met with the Topeka Capital Journal Opinion Page Editor and editorial advisory board on July 14th. The focus of the meeting was the serious impacts of the breakdown in the Medicaid eligibility determination “system” and the recent Medicaid rate cuts (specifically as they pertain to seniors needing long-term care and their care providers.)
Medicaid pending issues discussed:
- The cascade of events/decisions that resulted in the Medicaid eligibility breakdown
- Specific problems that are still occurring (e.g. repeated requests for information that has already been sent one or more times)
- Poor internal communication and training at the Clearinghouse
- The characteristics of seniors waiting for a determination
- Efforts to raise alarms with the State, CMS and members of Congress
- Cash flow consequences to providers that are waiting on thousands or millions of dollars in payments
- The growing problem Medicaid-pending seniors face with getting access to care because providers cannot shoulder anymore liability.
Medicaid rate reduction discussion:
- The questionable decision of policy makers and the Administration, through inaction and actions, to fill the state’s budget shortfall on the backs of poor Kansans and their health care providers.
- What is the official rationale for the higher nursing home rate cuts (4.47% vs 4%.)
- Providers will be less able to give needed raises to direct care staff or to hire additional staff, and the broader economic consequences to the communities in which they operate.
- The audacity of nursing home rate cuts being made on the heels of the increase in the nursing home provider assessment.
- State officials are suggesting that the rates will not be restored, which will cause negative long term consequences.
Debra plans to meet with the Wichita Eagle Editorial Board in August, and she is seeking appointments with other major media outlets to raise concerns and visibility about the impact of Medicaid eligibility determination breakdown and the Medicaid rate cuts on Kansas seniors and their care providers.
What can you do this week?
- Consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper about the Medicaid program crisis. Points to include
- The consequences to individual seniors and their families
- The negative impact on our organization and your local community
- The need for policy makers to properly fund Medicaid and to hold state regulators accountable to fix the Medicaid pending problems.
Please send a copy of your letter to the editor to LeadingAge Kansas, too.
Let us know if you are aware of local seniors and family members who would be willing to talk with the media about their nightmare experiences in trying to get thorough the Medicaid eligibility determination system.
