Medicaid, costs and quality of care, big issue of 2018 legislative session
Mississippi lawmakers are gearing up to address the sunset this legislative session of the state’s heavily debated Medicaid program, which provides health insurance to more than 760,000 Mississippians.
This tasks the Legislature with reauthorizing the Division of Medicaid through what’s called the “Medicaid technical amendments bill.” It’s an opportunity for lawmakers to reexamine the program and make significant changes….
…Senate Medicaid Committee Chairman Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, brought up issues with prior authorization, the process managed care’s insurance companies use on the front end to determine whether they will reimburse for services based on medical necessity. Physicians have complained the process takes too long, preventing timely care.
Wiggins also said the state is committed to the managed care program, which has been the subject of much consternation in past months. He argued that despite lawmaker concerns of the program’s effectiveness, it’s still relatively new.
Clarion Ledger
12/13/17
