October 30, 2009
Earlier this week, Gov. Ritter announced new budget cuts in response to the state’s September 2009 revenue forecast, which projected an additional $270 million budget shortfall for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Again, many state programs – ranging from higher education to corrections to clean energy to healthcare – were impacted.
As Colorado’s fiscal crisis continues, healthcare providers, including dentists, have been hit with another Medicaid rate cut. The new 1% cut is in addition to previous rate cuts of 1.5% in Sept. 2009 and 2% in July 2009. The latest provider rate cut will take effect on Dec. 1, 2009.
In addition, the state will delay payments for Medicaid services provided in the final two weeks of the fiscal year. This is an accounting maneuver being used to shift some expenses from one fiscal year to the next and will result in a two-week delay in payments to Medicaid providers for services provided during the final two weeks of June 2010.
The CDA continues to explore ways to improve dental providers’ experience with the Medicaid program and we welcome your input at jennifer@cdaonline.org, 303-740-6900 or 800-343-3010.
