Decision on Medicaid Beneficiaries with HIV/AIDs By NYHD Soon

The New York State Health Department will issue a decision in the coming weeks about whether to switch Medicaid beneficiaries who are afflicted with HIV/AIDs to managed care plans from fee for service plans. The 65000 people living with HIV/AIDs in the state who are enrolled in the Medicaid program have been exempt from an enrollment drive to place them in managed care plans. About 10000 HIV positive beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans since late last year.

According to some HIV/AIDS advocates this means lower quality care and interrupted services for some patients. Some say this is being done just to save state money. According to Claudia Hutton, a health department spokesperson, it was not about saving money but using the money better.

AP/Newsday says that studies conducted by the state health department  indicate that managed care plans are better for all patients. Relationships with care providers are interrupted less often and there were fewer emergency department visits as well as fewer pneumonia cases.

Another study showed that HIV/AIDS patients enrolled in Medicaid managed care programs were twice as likely to be screened for breast cancer or cholesterol that those in fee for service plans.