Medicaid outlooks find budget, enrollment trends on track

A Kaiser Family Foundation report released last week on Medicaid found that most states are on track with budget and enrollment trends for fiscal year 2012, and they do not anticipate the need for significant mid-year cuts.

But, the report also found that 10 states—California, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia—were attempting to close 2012 budget shortfalls by making mid-year revisions, including restricting additional benefits and provider payment rates. In Maine and Washington, the proposed mid-year cuts include broader measures.

For fiscal year 2013, many states are planning to take advantage of new opportunities available under the Affordable Care Act to integrate care for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, or so-called “dual eligibles,” with the goal of providing better care and reducing costs, the report said.

Many states are also preparing to implement the Medicaid coverage expansion in 2014, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act, and a many states are creating insurance exchanges.