Monday, October 25, 2010

Budget crisis leads to new Medicaid payment delays

Medicaid providers will see additional payment delays in the first half of 2011 as the state works to close a $262 million budget gap, Gov. Ritter's office announced Friday. The governor's new spending plan avoids cuts to Medicaid payments, but saves an estimated $70 million in the remainder of the 2010-2011 fiscal year by further postponing payments.

The current two-week delay to Medicaid Fee-for-Service payments will be extended to three weeks. The delays will be spread out in one-week increments over the months of April, May and June, saving $55.1 million. Medicaid Managed Care payments will be delayed for one month, likely in June 2011, saving $15.2 million.

PACE providers and the regional care coordination organizations (RCCOs) that are part of the new Medicaid accountable care collaborative will be exempt.