President's Message: NC Medicaid to Reduce Rates

October 5, 2009

Dear NCOA Members:

NC Medicaid has just announced 9 percent cuts to providers. The 9 percent reduction in infusion services, lab, and consultation services, combined with the 3.1 percent reduction in drug reimbursement may create a crisis in treating and managing North Carolina Medicaid oncology and hematology patients.

We have drafted a letter for NCOA members to send to their representatives in Raleigh expressing concerns about these cuts on cancer care delivery in NC. The letter asks to re-consider the decision to lower reimbursement to oncology providers across the state. It is in the best interest of the North Carolina Medicaid program and the Medicaid recipients to reverse this decision.

Find your state representative and senator. Click on State Contacts. You'll find the names and email addresses.

Personalize our letter. Then copy and insert into your email and send to your state representative and senator.

The new rates, which take effect October 1, are the result of state budget cuts enacted by the General Assembly for the 2010 and 2011 state fiscal years. The cuts reduce the fees for more than 20 services and goods covered by Medicaid, the joint federal and state health insurer for low-income citizens. Currently in North Carolina almost 2 million Medicaid recipients receive health and medical services. DHHS Secretary Lanier M. Cansler said the legislative mandate to reduce the budget amid an economic downturn with fewer tax revenues led to the painful decision to reduce the rates paid to Medicaid providers.

Sincerely,

Jennie R. Crews, MD