The State of Indiana is keeping a low profile on a potential budget disaster. Medicaid officials released financial news in August showing the state’s Medicaid budget has increased by 7% last year. An extra $800 Million was spent.
Indiana’s Medicaid enrollment is shrinking, yet costs are going up.
Last fiscal year’s Medicaid enrollment was Indiana’s lowest in three years, yet spending was up $800 million. That’s a seven-percent increase, and the state’s Medicaid consulting firm Milliman predicts similar increases the next six years.
Christine Mytelka says while overall enrollment is down, long-term care is up, and that’s the most expensive area. She says the 85,000 Hoosiers in Medicaid-funded nursing homes or other long-term services represent just five-percent of the welfare rolls, but 40% of Medicaid spending.
Source: WIBC
