CT Mirror reports on drop in per person Medicaid spending

Friday the CT Mirror reported on the remarkable falling cost of care for Medicaid members, down 5.9% just last year. The program now covers one in five state residents, more than any other government or private plan. Reasons include changing four years ago from a traditional insurer model to a single administrator, progress getting care for fragile members in their homes and communities rather than nursing homes, emphasizing primary care for all members, and intensive care management for high-need members. Budget cuts may have also contributed. Unlike other states, in 2012 CT replaced a poorly regulated managed care industry with the current data-driven, care management-focused system that rewards quality – both members and taxpayers are seeing the benefits. ER and hospital visits are down, access to care is up, and more providers are taking Medicaid patients. Other states are taking notice.