October 27, 2011
North Carolina’s Medicaid program is nearly $140 million short of its budget because of the organization’s inability to save due to the slow process of federal approval and government misspending. According to WRAL News, the lack of funds means the government will have to reduce or eliminate “optional” services.
Both Medicaid and Community Care of North Carolina, a state managed care program, are both failing to meet savings goals because of a slow approval process by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for changes set forth in the state budget earlier this year. Also, state legislature failed to set aside $41 million to help pay for a 2008 accounting error that created overpayments. Plus, the state must pay another $42 million in fines for improper billing and inadequate documentation for claims.
The rest of the shortfalls will be made up in cuts to the program, as the General Assembly has already given it’s approval to Health and Human Services Secretary, Lanier Cansler, to get rid of or cut optional services if goals are not met. Some of these services are vital to many of the 1.5 million recipients statewide, including hearing aids, dental care, and organ transplants.
The North Carolina Social Security Disability Attorneys at HensonFuerst want to know what you think about the program cuts. Give us your opinion by posting to our Facebook page.