Ohio Proposes Link Between Medicare, Medicaid Programs

Ohio state officials want to link the Medicare and Medicaid programs so that beneficiaries who enroll in both only have to work with a single program to receive the services, according to an Associated Press report.

Gov. John Kasich's Office of Health Transformation released a draft proposal of the plan on Tuesday. Currently, the two programs operate relatively independently, a system that officials say has led to poor coordination between long-term care, behavioral and physical health services.

Because of this poor coordination, patients are more costly to the system. For example, a single patient may receive payment from Medicare for hospitals and physician office visits, as well as prescription drugs, while Medicaid will pay for long-term care, such as nursing homes. As the person moves from one environment to another, there is nothing to track the patient's progress.

State officials will gather feedback from those enrolled in the programs before they submit a final plan to federal officials.

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