Medicaid Reductions in Governor's Budget Recommendations for FY'06

Archived

NOTE: Here is a partial list of changes to the Missouri Medicaid program that are included in Governor Matt Blunt's budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2006. As in all years, the Governor's recommendations are the beginning of the state's budget process. Members of the House and Senate may present their own recommendations, so that the final budget that the General Assembly sends to the Governor for his approval or veto in May could differ from the Governor's proposals reflected below.

Medicaid Eligibility Reductions:

• Elimination of Medical Assistance for the Workers with Disabilities (known as “Ticket to Work) – provides health care coverage for disabled people who are working. Allows income up to 250% of federal poverty level and still retain Medicaid coverage.
  • $11.9 million in general revenue funds
  • $51.6 million total funds (state and federal)
  • 17,795 people affected
    • 9,529 lose coverage immediately
    • 4,753 move to spend-down or increase spend-down
    • 3,513 move to another Medicaid category
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• Elimination of medical benefits under the General Relief program - cash benefits were eliminated in the 04 budget cycle. This eliminates the medical benefits portion of the program.
  • $13.2 million in general revenue funds
  • $13.2 million total funds (totally state funded)
  • 3,046 people affected
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• Elimination of extended transitional Medicaid – expansion of transitional medical assistance to those moving to self-sufficiency from federally mandated one year coverage to two years. Recommendation eliminates the second year of coverage.
  • $0.3 million in general revenue funds
  • $2.1 million total funds (state and federal)
  • 1,150 people affected
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• Reduce Old Age Assistance/Permanently and Totally Disabled assistance to SSI level, $579/month for a single individual, $869/month for a married couple.
  • $27.8 million in general revenue funds
  • $74.1 million total funds (state and federal)
  • 39,852 people affected
    • 14,607 lose coverage immediately
    • 18,504 move to spend-down or increased spend-down
    • 6,741 move to another Medicaid category
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• Reduce adults under Medical Assistance for Families program from 75% of federal poverty level to 30% of federal poverty level. These are mostly low-income parents of children receiving Medicaid.
  • $30.6 million in general revenue funds
  • $80.8 million total funds (state and federal)
  • 60,714 people affected
    • 20,209 affected immediately
    • 40,505 affected after one year of transitional medical benefits

Medicaid Service Reductions

• Eliminate adult dental care
• Eliminate podiatry care
• Eliminate rehabilitation/specialty services - includes durable medical equipment like crutches and wheelchairs, as well as ambulance services, hospice care, prosthetics, etc.

02/09/05

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