Report: Most Medicaid, CHIP Changes Involve Benefit, Payment Cuts

The majority of changes by states to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program have reduced benefits or reimbursement rates, according to a report by the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, CQ HealthBeat reports.

The report found that:

• Ten states enacted laws to lower reimbursement rates for inpatient, outpatient or physician services, while just four states increased rates for at least one type of service;
• Seven states passed laws to limit benefits or increase cost sharing, while three improved patient benefits or lowered copayments;
• Four states have made other changes to benefits or cost sharing, including a pilot program in Utah that requires Medicare beneficiaries to do community service (Adams, CQ HealthBeat, 8/10); and
• Nine states tightened eligibility requirements that NACHRI says will restrict children's access to coverage -- by passing laws to lower qualifying income levels or adding new requirements that applicants must fulfill before enrolling -- while six states passed laws to expand coverage for children or adults, or make enrollment easier (Baker, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 8/10).