Table 2 Theme 3 Quotations on the Impact of Medicaid Program Structure on Patient Outcomes
From: Qualitative perspectives of primary care providers who treat Medicaid managed care patients
Behavioral Health | “Children’s behavioral health is spread over five different state agencies…and although there are some efforts toward behavioral health integration, even now, within Medicaid managed care, mental health is a carve-out. But that’s ridiculous. Children’s behavioral health is tightly tied to their whole health, and to have a system where…the head [is] in one area and the body in another area, and ability to co-manage, co-care for, co-locate so they sort of integrate care is, is hamstrung by, regulatory issues, and Medicaid is just, it’s ridiculous.” -Pediatrician #5 |
Continuity of Medicaid Enrollment | “But I think one of the other really big issues that doesn’t get a lot of play is the fact that for a lot of my patients once their pregnancy is completed, they lose insurance…They either have to reenroll or they’re not eligible for reenrollment. And that happens about 6 weeks, 5 weeks now, after their birth. So that’s a real challenge…making sure that patient comes in for a postpartum visit is key and providing sustainable contraception is key. I mean, that’s preventative care at its best…And, and to not have…the benefits is really [a] problem.” -Obstetrician #2 |
Pain Management Medications | “I cannot get chiropractic care, I cannot get acupuncture, I cannot get anything that isn’t pills. Throw into that…you won’t let me prescribe anything other than narcotics for the most part because their cheap, and then you’re telling me I’m prescribing too many narcotics.” -Family Physician #1 |