Ohio bills would increase services for Medicaid enrollees

Two bills being proposed by Rep. Barbara Sears, R-Toledo, would create disease management and case management programs, respectively, for enrollees in the Ohio’s Medicaid fee-for-service plan (Source: “Ohio bills would boost aid to Medicaid recipients,” MedCity News, May 21, 2010).

“If we’re providing medical services in the state of Ohio, [is the state] just writing checks, or should we actually help people?” Sears said.

House Bill 513 would create a disease management program aimed at improving communication between doctors and patients so that patients have the necessary knowledge, medication and supplies to prevent or minimize complications from serious medical conditions.

House Bill 514 would create care coordination and help patients with ailments including diabetes, asthma, lung disease and high blood pressure develop treatment plans.

The bills would only provide coordination for patients in Medicaid’s fee-for-service plan but not in the managed-care plan. About 28 percent of 2.1 million Ohio Medicaid enrollees are in the fee-for-service plan.