NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to N.A.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Agency on Aging

Department of Health did not respond

NM Health Policy Commission did not respond

Attorney General's Office did not respond

Human Services Department did not respond

Public Regulation Commission did not respond

SUMMARY

Synopsis of House Joint Memorial

The memorial requests the Legislative Finance Committee, Department of Health, Human Services Department, Health Policy Commission, Attorney General, State Agency on Aging, health plans and health provider organizations to work cooperatively to resolve issues related to low Medicare rates and the unfair, inequitable and discriminatory Medicare methodology for reimbursement.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The State Agency on Aging indicates Medicare managed care plans and other Medicare health providers are, because of low Medicare reimbursement rates, limiting access to health care by no longer accepting Medicare patients or reducing their efforts in New Mexico to provide health care to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare reimbursement rates in New Mexico are the lowest in the region and one of the lowest in the country.

The State Agency on Aging indicates the group of agencies specified in the memorial should determine a lead agency to coordinate the effort.

BT/njw