Rising Unemployment Threatens Medicaid Programs
We all complain about health insurance, but oh how reassuring it is to tote an insurance card in your wallet.
I remember counting the days until my coverage kicked in; after graduating from college, I was promptly dropped from my parents' plan and was flying sans-security until I found employment with health benefits. For 3 months, I prayed I wouldn't catch anything worse than the common cold. I was cautious around stairs because--knowing my clumsy tendencies and poorly timed bouts of bad luck--I was convinced I would fall down and find myself footing the bill for a broken leg.
Somehow, I avoided injury and serious illness until that cheap piece of plastic with oh-so-much value came in the mail.
But I was only one person; I just had to worry about myself. Others aren't so lucky--they have children and spouses who depend on them for the security and support health coverage provides. And with unemployment rates rising, more and more people are struggling to get insured.
According to the New York Times, states are reporting record numbers of Medicaid enrollment-a lagging side effect of recent layoffs-and, quite frankly, state budgets can't afford it. State legislators are calling on the federal government for help, but they'll likely be forced to slash Medicaid costs to find any relief, which means cutting certain types of coverage like vision and dental.
Our health care system is rife with problems and, as the article notes, it's currently trapped in a vicious cycle, where Medicaid enrollment is rising at the same time tax revenue to support the program is plummeting. The proposed economic stimulus plan should provide some relief--at least on the job front if not by directly injecting funds into health care--but the effects won't be immediate.
What are HIM professionals' opinions on Medicaid? Have you seen a rise in Medicaid claims at your facility? Have you heard of any physicians dropping Medicaid patients?