States Seek To Expedite Medicaid Payments
States could receive more than $1 billion in federal matching Medicaid funds if they expedite payment of bills before higher matching rates decline on April 1 and expire on July 1. As a result, many states are rushing to pay medical bills and asking hospitals and physicians to send claims in quickly. In California, a one-week auditor's hold on checks has been temporarily suspended, and two check-writing dates have been moved from July to June.
- "States Rush To Settle Medicaid Bills" (Cauchon, USA Today, 3/20).