If you've ever wondered what exactly the Tea Party would do if they gained power, I unfortunately am going to show you. I warn you, it's a tad soul crushing.
Trying to find information on Kentucky's Medicaid program was a bit unusual. Normally, this would send you right to it. And it does...Unless you're in kentucky.
By asking google, I came upon this dreadful document, released just days ago: COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES
Its a list of all the changes they're making in this particular area. The document is long but is actually quite easy to read. I'll only post a couple here to show.
• DMS will reduce reimbursement rates for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services as follows: o Reimbursement for screenings will be reduced by 35% o Reimbursement for diagnosis and treatment services will be reduced by 35% o Reimbursement for EPSDT special services: Services similar to those covered in another Medicaid program will be reduced by 35% Services which do not have a reimbursement rate or methodology established elsewhere in the Medicaid program will be reduced from a negotiated fee not to exceed 100% of the usual and customary charge to a negotiated fee not to exceed 65% of the usual and customary charge • DMS will reduce reimbursement for laboratory services provided by outpatient hospitals, except for critical access hospitals, by 35% • DMS will reduce reimbursement rates for independent laboratory services by 35% • DMS will reduce reimbursement for outpatient radiological services from 60% of the upper payment listed for the given service on the Medicare physician fee schedule to 39% of the upper payment limit for the service listed on the Medicare physician fee schedule • DMS will reduce the reimbursement for home health services by 35%
That was around half of the first page of a four page list of things. It just...kind of goes on like that. They take that same amount (sometiems more) off of almost anything you can think of.
I cant really say much more than what has been said far more eloquently by others on this site. That it doesnt surprise me is by far the most distressing part. But really, I'm being too negative. I know it, we all know how dramatic this all can get. Theres a good chance we had them all wrong:
DMS will reduce the fee for dispensing prescriptions as follows: o Generic drugs from $5.00 per prescription to $3.25 per prescription o Brand name drugs from $4.50 per prescription to $2.90 per prescription
That will solve everything, I'm sure. If anyone wants to see, I've plucked the whole thing into a Wordle File.
No one should treat their most vulnerable this way...Its beyond excuse.
