May 2, 2007
State Medicaid Program Ranks High Nationally
Montana ranks in the top third of states for the quality and scope of its Medicaid program, according to a recent study by a national consumer advocacy group.
In a report entitled "Unsettling Scores: A Ranking of State Medicaid Programs," Public Citizen ranked Montana 16th overall among the 50 states after evaluating four categories: eligibility, scope of services, quality of care, and reimbursement.
"We're delighted that our program did so well, especially considering that Montana has nowhere near the wealth of the states that ranked higher than us," said John Chappuis, state Medicaid director and deputy director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). "We were especially pleased to see that Montana ranked highest among similar states in the Rocky Mountain West."
Idaho ranked 49th in the study, while Wyoming ranked 33rd, South Dakota 46th, and North Dakota 31st. Among Western states, only California, Oregon, and Washington scored higher than Montana. The study ranked Massachusetts first and Mississippi last.
The report specifically acknowledged that Montana does a better job than most states of monitoring nursing home care. It also credited the state for paying its Medicaid health-care providers better than the national average and narrowing the gap between reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare.
"We've always recognized our Medicaid program as a critical thread in the safety net for vulnerable Montanans," said Joan Miles, director of DPHHS. "It can literally be a lifesaver for people who are struggling through tough times."
Montana Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that pays for a broad range of medically necessary health care and long-term care services for low-income residents in specific categories, including pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
Almost 120,000 Montanans received health-care benefits through the program in 2006.
While the federal government established the basic laws and rules that govern Medicaid, states have some freedom to tailor the program to meet the needs of their residents. So no two state Medicaid programs are exactly alike.
"Medicaid is one of the biggest programs administered by the state," Chappuis said. "A whole lot of people, from eligibility examiners to policymakers, have contributed to its success."
To apply for Medicaid, or to find out if you are eligible, visit your local Office of Public Assistance. Or call the toll-free Montana Medicaid Help Line at 1-800-362-8312.
To see the entire report by Public Citizen, visit www.citizen.org/publications.
