Washington State Prepares to Limit Medicaid ER Visits

The state of Washington is set to limit Medicaid-covered emergency room visits for non-emergency care to three per Medicaid beneficiary per year, according to an Associated Press/News Tribune report.

Any ER visit after the allotted three for any non-emergency ailment will not be covered, according to the report. Non-emergency ailments include anything from blisters to chest pain.

The state estimates it could save $35 million with the new limits, but critics say the new restriction will force patients to self-diagnose before getting necessary medical help.

Related Articles on Medicaid:

Massachusetts Plans to Cut Medicaid for 24 Hospitals That Have High Readmission Rates
Medicaid Directors Urge Supercommittee to Increase Medicaid Flexibility
Feds Urge Florida to Require Private Medicaid Plans to Spend 85% on Care

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