Idaho Medicaid is out of money and has sent out IOU notices to health care providers announcing a 60 to 90 day delay of payments.

 “We already take 30 percent less from Medicaid compared to other reimbursements and now they want us to wait another 60 days to pay us,” says Dr. William Esplin, medical director for UVCHS. “I just don’t know how they expect us to survive”.

 Medicaid is the states program for uninsured and low-income citizens in Idaho. With the economy failing to increase revenue for the state it has chosen to make cuts where it can.

 Idaho ranks 47 in the nation for efficiency of their Medicaid program according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office in 2007. The report identified specific problems with the states ability to disperse funds and replenish the coffers of its Medicaid program.

 “The states Medicaid program is run by the Department of Health and Welfare and has strict guidelines for reimbursements”, says Ken Anderson who runs the Idaho Falls office for health and welfare. “When the money runs out we just can’t pay. The delay for payments realistically should only be about three weeks but we know it will be a burden for providers.”

 The state has come under fire by the United States Government in 2008 when it was revealed that it is the last state to holdout Medicaid enrollment by providers. The only way to enroll is by filling out paperwork and having an interview with a department of health and welfare caseworker. “It is demeaning and embarrassing to people who have no other choice, ”says Bob Hodgen of UVCHS, who has been an advocate for underserved people in our area for the last seven years.

 Idaho stands firm on their decision to delay payment but says it will consider complaints on a case-by-case basis.