By Megan Burks
Medi-Cal Rat Cut Approved Despite Growing Caseload
An appeals court ruled California can cut Medi-Cal reimbursement rates 10 percent. The rates are how doctors get paid for treating patients on the state’s public health program.
KPBS reports doctors are livid and say the rate cut could impact access to care. Already, less than half of all primary care providers in the state accept Medi-Cal patients because of the rates; less than one-third of specialists do. California has some of the lowest rates in the nation.
The cuts come on the heals of a major health care overhaul in the state and nation that will significantly grow the Medi-Cal caseload. Starting next month, 800,000 children who receive health coverage through Healthy Families will be added to the Medi-Cal roster. California must also add 1.5 million additional patients to Medi-Cal by January 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act rollout.
Follow KPBS health reporter Kenny Goldberg @kghealth.
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