Ohio proposes new fees, penalties for Medicaid recipients: 6 things to know

Under a new proposal that would charge fees for health plans bought on the federal exchanges and impose penalties on those who miss payments, Ohio lawmakers have predicted up to 650,000 state residents could lose Medicaid coverage, reports The Columbus Dispatch.

Below are six things to know about the pending legislation.

1. The proposal released Tuesday would require patients being treated for breast and cervical cancer, teens coming out of foster care and other non-disabled adults on Medicaid to make monthly payments to a health-savings account to help cover their medical expenses starting Jan. 1, 2018. Under the proposal, they would be required to to make monthly contributions equal to 2 percent of their income but no more than $99 a year, The Columbus Dispatch.

2. About 1.5 million Ohioans enrolled in Medicaid would be affected by the changes.

3. Medicaid officials project an average of 130,000 beneficiaries could lose coverage annually under the five-year pilot program. Those who fail to make payments would lose coverage and could not re-enroll until their debt is paid.

4. According to the proposal, the plan is meant to promote patient engagement in healthcare and personal responsibility, increase use of preventive services and encourage residents to pursue employer-sponsored and private market coverage, reports Dispatch.

5. The plan is expected to save taxpayers up to $1 billion annually.

6. The proposal is subject to federal approval.

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