September 19, 2008

Legislative Committee > Reviews MO HealthNet Payment Rates

The Missouri Senate Select Committee on MO HealthNet Provider Rate Equalization held a hearing this week on MO HealthNet reimbursement. The committee's formal charge is to determine whether "an objective standard can be applied to all MoHealth Net provider reimbursement rates, and if so, how that standard should be applied."

The director of the MO HealthNet Division reviewed differences among MO HealthNet's various reimbursement processes. Questions from committee members focused on distinguishing between payments based on cost reports and those made based on fee schedules. Testimony from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services focused on the department's role in regulating various home care providers. The Missouri Department of
> Mental Health also presented testimony on payment rates for psychiatric and substance abuse providers.

Various representatives of MO HealthNet providers also made brief remarks to the committee.

The committee will publish a report of its findings and recommendations by Jan. 1, 2009.

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