Anticipating the Effects of Medicaid Expansion on Surgical Care

Surgery patients covered by Medicaid arrive at the hospital in worse health, experience more complications, stay longer and cost more than patients with private insurance, a new study has found.

The study, by researchers at the University of Michigan, may offer a preview of what to expect as millions of uninsured people qualify for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

here’s the release

The Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level, but a subsequent Supreme Court ruling determined Congress could give states the option to expand. In September of 2013, the state of Michigan approved expansion. Beginning in April 2014, more than 400 000 adults will be newly eligible for Medicaid enrollment in the state.1

The effect of this influx of patients on surgical care and hospital costs in Michigan is unknown. Previous national studies of Medicaid patients undergoing surgery have shown worse outcomes2 and increased costs.3 Given that the Affordable Care Act also mandates a reduction in payments to disproportionate share hospitals,4 increased Medicaid enrollment could have substantial clinical and financial implications for hospitals facing expansion. To better understand this change, using a statewide clinical registry, we examined the surgical outcomes and resource use of Medicaid patients in Michigan the year prior to implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Canadajournal/Press Releases