WALLINGFORD – The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) released the following statement regarding the Department of Social Services (DSS) Medicaid Rates Study Interim Report, Part 1 that is the subject of today’s Human Services and Appropriations Committees joint informational briefing:
“This report confirms the alarming situation that healthcare providers have long called for action to address. Connecticut’s distressingly low Medicaid reimbursement rates lag significantly behind other states and create barriers to healthcare access for low-income residents. The report findings for physician specialist, dental, and behavioral health services reimbursement in Connecticut largely track what we see in hospitals as well. Last year, the Office of Health Strategy reported that Medicaid only reimbursed 62 cents on the dollar in FY 2022 for hospital services. The state’s current approach to setting payment rates does not include timelines for rate adjustments to recognize increases or changes in the system, such as inflation, workforce changes, and updates to clinical best practices. Low reimbursement rates deprive Medicaid beneficiaries, who are largely low-income women and children, access to needed care and social supports and they shift costs to those with private insurance.
Connecticut must take the steps hospitals and health advocates have long encouraged to address the underfunding of Medicaid. There is a glaring need for action to help all patients.”