CMS Will Reimburse Louisiana For Prenatal Care Provided To Pregnant Noncitizens

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 19 Nov 2007 - 9:00 PST

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CMS will reimburse Louisiana for 80% of the costs of providing prenatal care to noncitizen pregnant women through SCHIP, according to agency spokesperson Mary Kahn, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports (Shuler, Baton Rouge Advocate, 11/15). The state expanded LaCHIP, its version of SCHIP, earlier this year, and since July, it has provided prenatal care to about 1,061 noncitizens. The expansion cost $3.17 million during the first three months.

Kahn had said that Louisiana's spending on care for pregnant noncitizens is "not reimbursable," adding that labor and delivery is the "only coverage" available for noncitizen pregnant women (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 11/15).

However, on Wednesday, Kahn said that while a noncitizen pregnant woman is not eligible for SCHIP coverage, "the fetus is eligible for services related to the pregnancy." According to Kahn, the state can receive federal reimbursement for prenatal care, but no other medical care for pregnant noncitizen women is reimbursable unless a physician certifies that it could affect the fetus.

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Roxane Townsend said CMS approved the LaCHIP expansion in April, and Texas and Arkansas have received federal approval for similar expansions. A similar request by Oklahoma is pending (Baton Rouge Advocate, 11/16).

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