Question: How could these increased payments be kept in place?
Dr. Kirschner: There’s a coalition of primary care organizations that are encouraging states to begin early collecting data on the extent to which this parity will increase provider enrollment. There are already data for states to consider indicating that there may likely be savings with both the Medicaid expansion and by increasing provider participation. For instance, if you get these individuals in regular, ongoing primary care, it will help avoid the more expensive emergency department and hospital care. We would like states to consider the potential savings and begin collecting data. There’s also a movement to encourage the federal government to continue the expanded payments to the states.
Dr. Kirschner is a senior associate for regulatory and insurer affairs at the American College of Physicians.