Kentucky Medicaid

Democrats, Health Groups Praise Beshear's Decision to Expand Medicaid

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:20:54 +0000

After months of deliberations, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has decided to expand Medicaid in Kentucky under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare — a move that's won praise from Democrats and health advocacy groups.

Beshear said Thursday that expansion benefits Kentucky in many ways.

"This move makes sense not only for our health but also for our pocketbook. More important it makes sense for our future," he says.

Group Pushes for Medicaid Expansion

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:39:19 +0000

A leading health organization in Kentucky is putting the pressure on Gov. Steve Beshear to expand Medicaid services under the Affordable Care Act.

Kentucky Voices for Health Executive Director Regan Hunt says her group is launching a two-week radio ad campaign pressure Beshear to expand Medicaid. The radio ad campaign will be partnered with a month long online ad campaign.

House Passes Medicaid Prompt Pay Bill 99-0

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:52:08 +0000

A bill moving Medicaid managed care late payments to the Department of Insurance's review process has overwhelmingly passed the state House. The measure passed on a unanimous vote of 99-0.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo is the bill sponsor and says his goal is to make sure health care providers start getting paid by Medicaid managed care organizations, which has been a problem since the MCO system was implemented.

"Because if claims are in fact being withheld unfairly, this will remedy that," Stumbo said. "If claims are being changed as far as the criteria goes in the claims process after they've been submitted this will change that."

Bill Transferring Kentucky Medicaid Late Payments to Insurance Department Clears House Committee

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:35:38 +0000

House Speaker Greg Stumbo's bill that would transfer late payments claims in Medicaid managed care has cleared its first committee.

Panel Approves Bill Giving Lawmakers Say on Medicaid

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:20:36 +0000

A Kentucky State Senate panel has approved two measures requiring legislative approval before the Commonwealth could expand Medicaid or operate a marketplace that sells insurance. The bills passed along party lines in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, which has a Republican majority.

The proposals now go to the Republican-controlled Senate for a full vote. The bills are expected to die in the mostly Democratic House.

Senate Committee Backs Bill Requiring Kentucky Medicaid Providers to Publish Prescription Prices

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:10:00 +0000

A bill requiring Kentucky Medicaid managed care operators publish a list of prescriptions and reimbursement prices on Wednesday passed a state Senate committee, following prodding from independent pharmacists asking for access to pricing standards before they fill prescriptions.

The group of independent pharmacists told lawmakers that they are still having trouble with reimbursements from the state's Medicaid managed care operators. And they said they were also still being dramatically undercut on prescription reimbursements when they did receive them.

Greg Stumbo Files Bill Aimed at Speeding Up Medicaid's Late Payment Process

Chad Lampe — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:30:00 +0000

House Speaker Greg Stumbo has filed a bill to move complaints about late payments in Kentucky's Medicaid system from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Department of Insurance.

Speaker Stumbo Favors Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:04:04 +0000

The Speaker of the Kentucky House says it’s a no-brainer for Kentucky to expand its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.

Legal Issues with Kentucky Spirit Remain; Passport Withdraws Medicaid Complaint

Kenny Colston (KPR) and Kenny — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:10:45 +0000

Weeks after their announced departure from Kentucky’s Medicaid managed care system, operator Kentucky Spirit and the state are still locked in a legal battle.

Managed Care Official Criticizes Kentucky's Approach to the Medicaid System

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:16:32 +0000

The CEO of a major Medicaid managed care company (MCO) is criticizing Kentucky for the way the state deals with businesses like his.

Michael Neidorff is the CEO of Centene, which operates Kentucky Spirit, one of three statewide MCO's that has managed Medicaid patients for the state since last year.