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MDcajuntiger 
LSU Fan
Denonvilliers' and parts outlying
Member since Sep 2007
900 posts
| Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:28 am)
quote:
On Jan. 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a proposed rule that included a provision to simplify and update Medicaid premium and cost-sharing policies. Maximum co-payment amounts can vary based on what states pay for services and on income levels. In the interest of streamlining the system for the states, CMS is proposing an overall flat maximum rate of $4 for outpatient services for those under 100% of poverty, as well as higher cost sharing for certain services: an $8 maximum for using nonpreferred drugs and for nonemergency use of the emergency department for individuals at or below 150% of poverty.
LINK
I for one think it is a good start.
edited to add quoted info
This post was edited on 1/28 at 5:23 pm
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Queen
LSU Fan
383 miles from Death Valley
Member since Nov 2009
2403 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:31 am to MDcajuntiger)
Agreed.
My cousin did a rotation in a Medicaid clinic in Nola during med school, and she said it would make a huge difference if they had some sort of responsibility. Because they have no copays or penalties for canceling they don't even show up half the time.
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CITWTT
LSU Fan
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2005
25092 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:38 am to MDcajuntiger)
I would prefer my fathers method of dealing with his patients. If you had no cash to pay the bill, then you would barter to a level deemed equal to the bill. There was never a lack of food on the table given his notion of value in the world.
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MDcajuntiger
LSU Fan
Denonvilliers' and parts outlying
Member since Sep 2007
900 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:45 am to CITWTT)
quote:
If you had no cash to pay the bill,
I am not as concerned about getting paid in this instance as I am with misuse of resources (unnecessary ER/clinic visits) that burden the system.
I do agree with your point regarding bartering. I have a childhood friend in the Lafayette area. His dad delivered babies in exchange for hunting/fishing privileges on private land and animals (1/2 cow, prepared meats, etc..) 
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Shreveporter
LSU Fan
Newport News, VA
Member since Jan 2011
844 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:56 am to MDcajuntiger)
I agree that this would be a good start. I have plenty of responsible, thoughtful Medicaid patients but I have plenty who certainly misuse the system (high no-show rate, make appointments for things that could and should be managed at home) and I have always thought even a very minimal co-pay would help them more carefully consider if they should really make an appt. unless we can charge them for no-shows (currently forbidden in my state) I don't know if that part of the problem will improve. I don't begrudge poor kids their Medicaid but it would be nice if their parents always had the same respect for the system that a $35 copay patient's family had.
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90proofprofessional
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2004
6120 posts
 Online
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 12:12 pm to Queen)
quote:
Because they have no copays or penalties for canceling they don't even show up half the time.
Are there any sort of industry estimates on how common & costly this is?
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Dobermann
LSU Fan
Red Bull Racing Fan
Member since Sep 2008
1826 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 12:42 pm to MDcajuntiger)
The problem is you can't deny them care if they don't pay their copay. They'll have to just "owe" you.
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90proofprofessional
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2004
6120 posts
Online
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quote:
Are there any sort of industry estimates on how common & costly this is?
reiterating question, before thread falls too far
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Radiojones
LSU Fan
Dutchtown, LA
Member since Feb 2007
4181 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:37 pm to MDcajuntiger)
:Thread hijack:
Once upon a time I did not have health insurance for about a month and sure enough I landed in Charity hospital with Diverticultis.
About 4 weeks after I got out I received a bill from Earl K. Long for $50. I wrote a check and mailed it in. The next week I get a call because the clerk at the hospital did not know what to do with the check because no one had ever paid it before. They ended up mailing me my check back.
I know CSB
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wickowick
LSU Fan
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
12760 posts
Online
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 4:38 pm to Radiojones)
 and at the same time...
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
44011 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 4:48 pm to CITWTT)
quote:
If you had no cash to pay the bill, then you would barter to a level deemed equal to the bill. There was never a lack of food on the table given his notion of value in the world.
What might these individuals have to barter? Their free cell phone? Indenture one of their more annoying kids?
But any small copay for any service would weed out a lot of the unnecessary service being requested. At least make an ambulance run the same as a taxi and they might stop calling ambulances to get places near hospitals.
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La Place Mike
LSU Fan
West Florida Republic
Member since Jan 2004
12625 posts
| re: Co-pays for Medicaid? (Posted on 1/28/13 at 6:00 pm to MDcajuntiger)
I have telling people this and they refuse to believe me. They will have "free" health care but they are going to have to pay co pays and deductables.
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