Previous Story
Use of Medicaid at private clinics is extended to June
|
Posted on Apr 14 2015
CNMI Medicaid has extended until June 30 an agreement that allows private clinics to accept Medicaid patients who are under 18 years old for outpatient services.
CNMI Medicaid administrator Helen Sablan said the extension gives three of the main clinics that accept Medicaid patients—Saipan Health Clinic, Pacific Medical Center, and Marianas Medical Center—a three-month leeway.
Earlier, these three private clinics were given only from January to March to accept Medicaid patients.
Sablan earlier said that Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muña needed to issue a letter certifying whether or not CHCC is willing to extend the period for Medicaid patients to avail of the services of private clinics. Muña sent the letter in March, extending the services.
“To ensure community health needs are met, this is to certify that CHCC will need assistance of private practitioners for outpatient services provided to adults and children,” Muña had said.
The CNMI Medicaid Office’s latest data show that it has had more than 5,000 Medicaid applicants so far this year.
The only time that CHCC is able to certify services and seek help from private clinics is if CHCC is not able to accommodate the patients.
The revised state plan, which has been approved by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Region 9, requires Medicaid patients to first seek treatment at CHCC and does not allow private clinics to provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries unless CHCC is not able to accommodate the patients.
The whole purpose of the state plan is to help the Medicaid program meet its financial goals because they had a cash flow issue in 2012.
Saipan Tribune tried but failed to obtain comments from clinic providers as of press time.
