A Positive Financial Decision

Medicaid expansion has been available since 2014, but some states have been slow to adopt it, citing the worry of additional expenses. However, in reality, the federal government covers 90% of the costs, leaving only 10% of implementation costs to the states. In the long-run, studies show that many states that adopt the expansion end up saving money.

Researchers from Washington University in Saint Louis estimate that the new ruling in Missouri will save the state roughly $39 million a year by reducing the need for other state health spending. This lines up with the savings that other states have seen. For example, implementing Medicaid expansion saved New Jersey $353 million in 2016, reflecting lower payments to hospitals for uncompensated care.

In addition to the direct financial gains, expanding Medicaid results in many indirect economic benefits. When people have medical insurance, they are more likely to get access to preventative care instead of leaving illnesses untreated. Regular check-ups mean finding and treating illnesses before they get worse. Insured people are less likely to go to the emergency room for non-emergent healthcare needs. They are also more likely to pursue employment opportunities because they are not afraid that getting a job will mean losing their insurance. 

Helping Individuals and Families

Medicaid expansion is not only beneficial financially, it also helps vulnerable populations get the care they need. Missouri’s Medicaid program did not cover most adults without children, and its income eligibility threshold for parents is one of the lowest in the nation at about one-fifth of the poverty level. Expanding Medicaid will increase healthcare access for childless adults, parents, and low-income adults who are able to work. 

Missouri’s decision to expand Medicaid came at a critical time when COVID-19 is affecting so many people, especially those without insurance. Missouri has been especially affected by the pandemic, reporting almost 1,000 new cases per day. Dina van der Zalm of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center said she believes the voters saw, “especially in the midst of a global pandemic, the important role that the expansion will play.” Missouri’s decision, paired with nationwide Medicaid and Medicare updates, will increase access to healthcare during this crisis.

Keeping Track

Legislation is constantly changing, so staying up to date with Medicaid and Medicare changes can be overwhelming at times. However, both patients and hospitals need to pay attention to the updates. For patients, they could mean increased access to healthcare for themselves and their families. For hospitals, knowing your state’s policies will help you be more helpful and efficient with patients and help you maximize your public benefits reimbursement. Our team at The Midland Group diligently follows the latest updates to make sure that we help you tap into any available resources and follow new regulations. To view more resources we’ve compiled over the years, click here. To learn more about our services, contact us today.

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In January 2020, the Supreme Court passed the public charge rule, a policy that could deny immigrants a green card or visa if they are eligible or likely to benefit from forms of public assistance. As a result, many immigrants felt forced to choose between seeking healthcare and having a future in the United States. Although the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have released additional information regarding the public charge rule, many immigrants have chosen to neglect their healthcare needs for fear of being denied permanent residence. As a matter of fact, a 2018 study reported that about 304,000 low-income citizens and green-card holders could be discouraged from seeking public benefits due to a lack of knowledge surrounding healthcare options. 

As you might expect, this confusion and fear amongst the immigrant population are especially heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, both patients and hospitals need to be informed about the extent of the public charge rule and what benefits are still available to immigrants. 

Who is at Risk?

Although many immigrants wonder how they could be affected by this new ruling, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that less than 1 percent of the non-citizens in the United States could be denied a green card based on their current use of benefits. The only immigrants who could be denied green cards because of their benefits use include: 

• immigrants who are not yet legal permanent residents (LPRs) but receive cash benefits in certain states
• LPRs who leave the United States for six months or more at a time
• certain non-citizens who are not yet LPRs who are eligible for federally funded public benefits. For more detailed information about these categories, click here.

Getting All the Facts 

• The new public charge rule does not affect undocumented immigrants. As such, SOBRA Medicaid is still available for emergency healthcare and pregnancy-related healthcare. Seeking these services does not affect a person’s immigration status.
• For immigrants with documentation, the public charge rule only affects those who are seeking to further their immigration status. Anyone who uses public health benefits to pay for non-emergency treatments could be considered a public charge if they have received more than 12 months of coverage within the 36 months preceding their application for immigration or adjustment of status.  
• In response to COVID-19, USCIS clarified that immigrants in need of medical testing or treatment will not be penalized if they apply for green cards or visas. Additionally, the rule does not restrict access to vaccines for children or adults to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. USCIS considers the receipt of public benefits as only one consideration in the totality of the immigrant’s circumstances over a period of time. Receiving benefits alone will not necessarily result in the denial of permanent citizenship.  

Here to Help

For over 30 years, The Midland Group has helped thousands of people qualify for public benefit. Our experienced patient advocates have not only helped countless patients apply for Medicaid and Medicare, they’ve also assisted patients in our partner hospitals apply for SOBRA. Since 1989, our goal has always been to increase people’s access to healthcare and protect the financial health of our partner hospitals. In the midst of changing policies and unprecedented global healthcare challenges, The Midland Group stands by ready to assist patients in our partner hospitals to qualify for various public benefits programs. Our trained patient advocates are familiar with all the tools and ever-changing rules and regulations revolving around all forms of health-related public benefits. To learn more about our services, contact The Midland Group and see how your facility and your patients can benefit.

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