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.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Human Services Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 414 amends the Medicaid program to require the inclusion of chiropractic services as a Medicaid benefit.

Significant Issues

Chiropractic services are not currently a Medicaid benefit and the enactment of House Bill 414 will be a program change. Federal Medicaid regulations allow the inclusion of this benefit.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Including chiropractic services in the Medicaid program will result in an increase in spending. The extent to which is not known and is difficult to determine. Referrals to chiropractors will result in and increased need for x-rays and other related services to make referrals and provide treatments. And, the costs of providing the chiropractic services will result in an increase in the capitated payments to Salud! managed care organizations. Other states that have included chiropractic services as a Medicaid benefit have seen marked increases in costs.

RLB/gm