TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is asking for federal government help with putting private health insurers in charge of administering its entire Medicaid program, including efforts to provide health coverage for people with disabilities and elderly nursing home residents.
Kansas has asked the Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS), an arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive some of the HHS rules that now apply to the state's $2.9 billion Medicaid program.
The move comes as some state legislators are arguing that Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, R, is moving too quickly with the proposed Medicaid overhaul.
Medicaid is a program funded with a combination of state and federal money that pays for medical care for poor people, and for poor people and others who qualify for help with paying for nursing home care.
Brownback administration officials said the changes will lead to better coordination of services for Medicaid participants with unusually high needs for services, eliminating duplication while improving their health.
Kansas wants to have the three contractors hired operate statewide, so participants can pick from a menu offering several different plans.
Some legislators in both parties say Brownback should move more slowly, to avoid administrative problems that could affect services, particularly for the disabled and elderly. But administration officials said the governor won't delay any changes.
"Why would we?" asked Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, R, a surgeon and former state senator who led the team that developed the overhaul plan. "We don't want to hurt Kansas patients."
Colyer added during an interview, "We want to make sure that they start getting the benefits now, and we're talking about tens of millions of dollars."
Legislators acknowledged that their role in the overhaul will be limited because most changes will be handled through the contracts. They must agree to a reorganization of the state's health and social services agencies, and they can weigh in on budget issues. Several said lawmakers also could set up an oversight committee.
Sen. Dick Kelsey, R-Goddard, Kan., said Brownback should delay the start of the Medicaid contracts for 6 months, until July 1, 2013.
