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BSU Center for Health Policy teams to address Idaho’s health care concerns
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Idaho is restructuring its Medicaid programs. Boise State’s Center for Health Policy is cooperating with the state to decide on rates that will be paid to health care providers for their services.
The Center for Health Policy Director Ed Baker works closely with actuary Tim Barclay, a consultant for the actuarial firm Milliman, Inc. who has wide experience in medical, dental, disability and long term care insurance.
An actuary determines risks in the insurance industry and has knowledge about mathematics, law, politics and industry trends.
In the past, Barclay has worked with insurance companies, managed care plans, hospitals, governments and Blue Cross/Blue Shield organizations.
While working with Boise State, he will analyze research collected by the Center for Health Policy to decide on capitation rates for Idaho Medicaid services.
“We are excited about our ongoing relationship with Boise State University and the
Center for Health Policy on projects that have the potential to materially impact health care in Idaho,” Barclay said.
According to the Delaware Healthcare Association Website, capitation is “the payment of a per capita amount for a defined package of health care services. A specific dollar amount per member per month is paid to providers . for which they provide
specific services.”
Other states have amounts ranging from around $100 to $200.
Until recently, Idaho has been among 10 other states that do not offer capitation rates.
Since 2006, the state has overhauled its Medicaid program and started offering more choices in benefits packages.
There are now specific packages for children, people with disabilities and those who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
“We expect more states to follow Idaho’s lead in redesigning their programs to give people access to affordable care that better reflects their own health needs and preferences,” administarator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, Mark McClellan said. The center oversees the
Medicaid program.
About 12 percent of Idahoans rely on Medicaid as their health insurance provider, with 25 percent of Idaho children receiving Medicaid services, as opposed to 27 percent of children nationally.
The state spent about $1.4 billion last year on Medicaid programs, and spending increased 4.4 percent from 2004 to 2006, according to www.statehealthfacts.org.
Of the state Medicaid budget last year, almost two-thirds was used for acute care, like hospital and doctor’s office visits, and little moe than a third went for long term care solutions like nursing homes or assisted living centers.
With increased population comes ever-mounting medical needs, and Idaho’s Medicaid spending has been growing steadily since 1990.
Baker believes that BSU’s Center for Health Policy plays an important role in finding solutions to Idaho’s health concerns.
“Public-private collaborations such as this give us access to the best resources to address significant statewide health-care issues, including those associated with Medicaid,” Baker said.
Jennifer Sawmiller
Senior News Writer