Posted on 12/13/2022 10:13:00 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A “secret shopper” accountability study shows that medical patients can’t readily schedule appointments by phone through Medicaid providers in New Mexico, even as the state and federal government spend $8.8 billion annually on the health care program that serves nearly half of state residents.
When primary health care providers were reached by phone, more than one-quarter were either not accepting new patients or had left the listed medical practice. The study found that patients who were able to connect with Medicaid care providers confronted waiting lists or appointment times that exceeded contractual requirements.
The consumer-protection survey was part of a broader program evaluation indicating that New Mexico resident enrolled in Medicaid are not using more services even as enrollment and spending on the program have surged.
Enrollment in Medicaid has climbed by 16% since 2019. Spending is up 56% over the same period. But per-patient use of certain Medicaid physical care services declined or remained steady. Agency analysts say pandemic-related curtailments in medical services could be partly to blame.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
I must be the exception.
My Medicare provider reached me by phone. They had an East Indian accent and I don’t even have Medicare. But they reached me anyway.
Medicaid vs. Medicare
Totally different programs.
Yeah, I know. But they didn’t claim to be my Medicaid provider.
My primary provider does not even list a telephone number. I have to do everything on their MyChart web site. Fortunately, they are very responsive to mesages. My sleep medicine and cardiac care providers have telephone numbers listed.
My MIL spent her last days on New Mexico Medicaid. The care she received was abysmal.
Ever try calling the IRS?
For now. You watch, the Dems will work to collapse them into one program.
Enrollment in Medicaid has climbed by 16% since 2019. Spending is up 56% over the same period.
The ‘new people’ recently arrived from the border.
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