Federal Officials OK Change to Alabama Medicaid Program
Federal officials have approved Alabama’s plan to switch its Medicaid program to managed care.
Governor Robert Bentley made the announcement in a Tuesday press conference. The waiver approval comes after three years of planning and negotiation with federal officials over the proposed change.
Instead of the traditional fee-for-service health care delivery model, the state will contract with regional care organizations to provide care and case management services for patients.
State officials hope the approach will provide better outcomes for patients by managing their care. They also hope it will help push down spiraling Medicaid costs.
About two-thirds of Medicaid patients, or about 650,000 people, will receive care through the new system.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid also agreed to provide $328 million to help with the transition.
Learn more about Alabama’s RCOs here.
Alabama mine cited for federal safety violations since home explosion led to grandfather’s death, grandson’s injuries
Following a home explosion that killed one and critically injured another, residents want to know more about the mine under their community. So far, their questions have largely gone unanswered.
Crawfish prices are finally dropping, but farmers and fishers are still struggling
Last year’s devastating drought in Louisiana killed off large crops of crawfish, leading to a tough season for farmers, fishers and seafood lovers.
Lawmakers consider medical cannabis revamp
It’s been three years since Alabama lawmakers passed legislation establishing a system to govern medical cannabis in the state, yet not one prescription for the drug has been filled. The rollout has been delayed by lawsuits and conflict over the licensing process.
Man arrested in connection with device that exploded outside Alabama attorney general’s office
Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday on charges of malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
For some Gulf South schools, a March Madness loss can still be a win off the court
Making it into the NCAA Tournament can translate to boosts in student enrollment, athletic involvement, merchandise sales and more for participating schools.
‘A bad day to be a panther’: Students react to BSC’s closure
Birmingham-Southern College students learned about their school's closure while on Spring Break. When they returned to campus, their emotions ranged from frustrated to angry to sad.
