HHS has released a proposed rule to implement the requirement established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that Medicaid reimburse primary care providers (i.e., family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatric medicine, and related subspecialties) at not less than Medicare levels during 2013 and 2014. According to CMS Administrator, Marilyn Tavenner, the pay raise is “an important tool for states to ensure their primary care networks are prepared for increased enrollment as the health care law is implemented.” Notably, the increase in payment rates will be funded entirely by the federal government, meaning that no matching payments will be required of the states. CMS also released a fact sheet containing further information about the proposed rule.
