Medicaid announced in December that Patient 1st has improved the level of coordinated health care of Medicaid patients in 26 counties, reduced Medicaid costs, and improved appropriate services to Medicaid beneficiaries. The program's successes will only increase as Patient 1st is expanded throughout the state before an implementation deadline of October 1, 1998. As the program expands to more counties, Medicaid savings will increase, but most important, more patients will benefit from having a doctor coordinate their medical care directly, or when needed, through referrals 24 hours a day, every day of the week. The waiver is one of several initiatives to provide better care to Medicaid beneficiaries in the most cost-effective way to taxpayers. We expect this program to save Medicaid money through more appropriate use of limited health care dollars and valuable medical services.
Patients benefit because they no longer have fragmented and uncoordinated health care.
In March the Alabama Medicaid Agency announced the start of a new, optional program for residents of Jefferson, Shelby and Mobile counties who are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. The Medicare Complete program, offered by United HealthCare of Alabama, offers all the benefits of United HealthCare's present Medicare Complete program at no cost to participants. The usual Medicare coinsurance and deductibles are covered by Medicare Complete, while Medicaid covers the copayment usually paid by the beneficiary. The Medicaid Agency is responsible for the Medicare coinsurance and deductibles for those persons who are covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the recipient's Medicare Part B premium. In addition to those benefits covered by Medicare and Medicaid, participants will be eligible for unlimited hospital days, coverage for routine annual checkups and hearing exams, dental coverage and other benefits.