The first debate of the 2012 Presidential Election has happened, and is done. It is very important that everyone become an informed voter, and understand exactly how each candidate stands on important issues. Here is one of two blogs that will tell you what each side’s plans are for Medicaid.
There seems to be a whole lot of misinformation being spread around about what each of the two candidates intends to do if elected, or re-elected, as President of the United States. This is the Insurance Blog, so this time I am going to focus on Medicaid. Here is what Obama/Biden plan to do with the Medicaid program.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, health insurance program. Part of the funding for Medicaid comes from the federal government. This can be in the form of a grant that is intended to be spent on the health care needs of a certain group of people who are low-income.
For example, some funding is earmarked for Family Planning and Pregnancy care, some is for CHIP (Children’s Health Care Program), and some is for states to expand their Medicaid programs to cover adults who are younger than age 65, who are not disabled, who are not pregnant and who do not live with dependent children. Medicaid is also funded by the government of an individual state.
The Barack Obama website has information about how “Obamacare” (which is really called the Affordable Care Act), is strengthening Medicaid. If you are currently using Medicaid, an interactive section will give you specific information on what to expect from the Obama/Biden plan for Medicaid.
A two person family that earns more than $20,000, but less than $61,000, will continue to receive Medicaid. By 2014, simplified rules will make qualifying for Medicaid more streamlined. Those who have had their income increase, and no longer qualify for Medicaid, will be eligible for tax credits to help pay for private insurance.
Healthcare.gov has a timeline that tells when specific parts of the Affordable Care Act will begin. As of January 1, 2013, Medicaid payments for primary care doctors will increase. The exact wording is:
“As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100% of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government”.
Right now, the Medicaid reimbursement rate to doctors is very low. This has led to some doctors refusing to take patients who are covered by Medicaid. Increasing the reimbursement rate will help people who are covered by Medicaid to receive care.
Effective October 1, 2013, states will receive two more years of funding to continue coverage for children who are not eligible for Medicaid through the state’s CHIP program. This will help more children from low income families to receive the health care they need. Effective January 1, 2014, more Americans will become eligible for Medicaid (including populations currently excluded).
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