I am writing this memo to present my findings about the Oregon Medicaid Innovation and show that it can be a very good model to implement in Maryland. Both Maryland and Oregon can benefit from a support from each other in the improvement of Medicaid.
Summary
Medicaid in the United States can be described as a social health care program for families and persons with inadequate resources and low income (Institute for Healthcare Improvement). Maryland is operating a state program referred to as Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, which is meant to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income adults. The state of Oregon has taken this program seriously to benefit American citizens living in Oregon. This has led to the state to embark on Oregon Medicaid Innovation. Oregon has a rich history when it comes to choosing innovative means of managing it Medicaid program. Due to such innovative efforts, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation awarded a State …show more content…
Table 1: Key Indicators of System Performance in Medicaid
Measure Oregon Medicaid National Average Medicaid
Getting needed care 45% 51%
Getting care quickly 51% 56%
How well doctors communicate 66% 70%
Health plan information and customer service 53% 53%
Adult access to primary care
(determined by one or more ambulatory visits ) Age 20-44: 84.2%
Age 45-64: 90.1% Age 20-44: 77.1%
Age 45-64: 82.8%
Source: Oregon Health Care Innovation Plan Oregon Health Authority. (2012, September 21)
In comparison to the national Medicaid average for the adults who need positive communication and care, it is low in Oregon but high for getting quick care.
Table 2: Potentially Avoidable ED Visits and Admissions across Payers in Oregon
Measure Oregon Medicaid Population Oregon Commercial Insurance Population Oregon General Population
Potentially avoidable ED visits, adult (age 18+)
(PA ED visits/total visits) 12.7% 10%
Summary
Medicaid in the United States can be described as a social health care program for families and persons with inadequate resources and low income (Institute for Healthcare Improvement). Maryland is operating a state program referred to as Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, which is meant to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income adults. The state of Oregon has taken this program seriously to benefit American citizens living in Oregon. This has led to the state to embark on Oregon Medicaid Innovation. Oregon has a rich history when it comes to choosing innovative means of managing it Medicaid program. Due to such innovative efforts, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation awarded a State …show more content…
Table 1: Key Indicators of System Performance in Medicaid
Measure Oregon Medicaid National Average Medicaid
Getting needed care 45% 51%
Getting care quickly 51% 56%
How well doctors communicate 66% 70%
Health plan information and customer service 53% 53%
Adult access to primary care
(determined by one or more ambulatory visits ) Age 20-44: 84.2%
Age 45-64: 90.1% Age 20-44: 77.1%
Age 45-64: 82.8%
Source: Oregon Health Care Innovation Plan Oregon Health Authority. (2012, September 21)
In comparison to the national Medicaid average for the adults who need positive communication and care, it is low in Oregon but high for getting quick care.
Table 2: Potentially Avoidable ED Visits and Admissions across Payers in Oregon
Measure Oregon Medicaid Population Oregon Commercial Insurance Population Oregon General Population
Potentially avoidable ED visits, adult (age 18+)
(PA ED visits/total visits) 12.7% 10%