Thousands in Louisiana could lose Medicaid
Louisiana’s department of health has notified more than 37,000 Medicaid recipients that they could lose access to the program after finding these participants earned too much money to qualify for coverage. According to the Associated Press, almost all of those threatened with removal are non-elderly adults enrolled through Medicaid expansion.
After a November computer upgrade, Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera released a report that said Medicaid expansion may have spent $85 million on ineligible enrollees.
Recipients could challenge the coverage decision by replying to the letter, but coverage will be removed as of March 31 for anyone who has not proven they meet the income requirements. (Associated Press)
Cheaper health plans in Kansas could exclude pre-existing conditions
Kansas Republicans and trade associations are pushing for less expensive health plans that do not cover pre-existing conditions. The Kansas Farm Bureau bill has already passed the state Senate, 28-11, and is headed to the House, reports The Kansas City Star.
The bill would go around existing Affordable Care Act rules and not be subject to any state rules as it would be run by the Kansas Insurance Department.
Democrats and patient advocacy groups say the new plans will leave people in trouble if they get sick, and cause prices to rise for people with pre-existing conditions. (The Kansas City Star)
Top 5 ways successful companies manage healthcare costs
A new report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans highlights five strategies that U.S. employers are using to control healthcare benefit costs.
Although the study notes that no one type of health plan offers significant savings, 72.8% of employers offered preferred provider organization plans, and 59% offered a high-deductible plan with a health savings account.
The top five outlined strategies to cut costs include case management services, nurse advice lines, prior-authorization requirements, healthcare claims analysis and telemedicine. (BenefitsPRO)