TennCare may have to cut enrollee benefits
Published: November 19, 2009
Updated: November 19, 2009
TennCare officials say they will be forced to cut some enrollee benefits if Gov. Phil Bredesen asks them to make a 9 percent reduction in spending. Bredesen heard from state departments during budget hearings that continued on Wednesday.
While most agencies have been asked to present plans to cut 6 percent from their spending plans for the budget year that begins July 1, the Bredesen administration has asked them to prepare an additional 3 percent cut in case economic conditions persist.
Officials for TennCare, the state’s expanded Medicaid program, said the extra cuts would require changes to benefits, such as a $10,000 annual cap on inpatient care for non-pregnant adults. TennCare director Darin Gordon said that would affect about 5,100 enrollees and save roughly $51 million. TennCare has about 1.2 million enrollees.
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Reader Reactions
ever thought about calling TBI- it’s fraud.
I called the local Social Services agency about it as a matter of fact! They said that nothing could be proven but they would make a note of it. This goes on everyday and the agency workers don’t care. Heck, I know a business owner that does quite well that signs his kids up for the angel tree every year.
star- So, why don’t you turn them in?
Rather Silly of you, isn’t it?
Last month my daughter spent four days in the hospital with a major asthma attack. With room, board, breathing treatments, and whatever else, plus ER fees, her bill was pretty high. Since she’s on TennCare, she’s not had to pay anything. If she were to have another situation develop, a cap would hurt badly. TennCare already has draconian limits on medications and all. Please don’t hurt more people with more draconian cuts. Oh, for the judgmental boors who wonder why people are on state medicaid don’t get a job and pay their own way instead of using taxpayer dollars, she has a job.
How about investigating all the many cases of TennCare fraud. I myself know a couple of people that lie about their situation to get the insurance free. They say their “baby daddy” doesn’t live in the home and he does.
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