Medi-Cal Contract Expiration Deadline Extended
Community Medical Centers has extended its Medi-Cal contract through June 30, the Fresno Bee reports. The contract was set to expire May 20.
CMC in January notified the California Medical Assistance Commission that it would not renew its contract to treat Medi-Cal beneficiaries because reimbursement rates are inadequate. According to hospital officials, CMC is losing about $30 million annually treating Medi-Cal beneficiaries, while the costs of treating those patients has increased by 21% in recent years.
Officials say the hospitals are providing treatment for Medi-Cal beneficiaries at 36% the actual cost of services. Medi-Cal beneficiaries represent about 35% of the hospitals' patients.
The extension will allow CMC and the commission more time to negotiate reimbursement rates. It also will allow Medi-Cal beneficiaries to continue receiving non-emergency care at Community Regional Medical Center, University Medical Center and Community Medical Center-Clovis (Correa, Fresno Bee, 5/12).