News
January 2014 · Volume 24 & Issue 1
A Monthly Publication of the Greater Louisville Medical Society
Practices Gear Up for
ACA/Medicaid Expansion
that occurred on the federal exchange website, Kynect got up and
running smoothly. Yet, Kentucky citizens’ overall perception of the
law has become increasingly less favorable since 2008, according to
Dr. Zepeda. Furthermore, “many of these new patients have never
had insurance, and it will be a challenge to teach them how to use
the health care system appropriately.”
President-Elect Bruce Scott, MD, served as moderator
In preparation for the extensive changes stemming from the launch
of the Affordable Care Act, GLMS held a town hall gathering on
December 11 to educate members and their office personnel. “The
intricacies of seeing patients who have signed up for Medicaid or
a qualified health plan on the exchange are vast and wide,” said
Associate Executive Director, Bert T. Guinn, MBA, CAE. “It is vital
for physician practices to get up to speed quickly. Therefore, one
of our chief priorities is to provide solid education and resources.”
Panelists at the town hall included Susan Zepeda, PhD, CEO of the
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Bill Wagner, Executive Director
of Family Health Centers, Inc., and member of the Metro Louisville
Board of Health Steering Subcommittee on Enrollment, Tim Marcum, Director of Planning at Baptist Health
Louisville and Chairman of the Metro Louisville Board of Health Steering Subcommittee
on Workforce Issues, and Jessica Williams,
GLMS Director of Physician Education & Practice Support. The meeting was moderated by
President-Elect, Bruce Scott, MD.
Kentucky’s state-run health care exchange
website, Kynect, launched on October 1,
2013, opening the door to 640,000 uninsured patients. Unlike the severe glitches
Bill Wagner stated that the Board of Health’s objective “is to ensure
that Louisville becomes a high performing and healthier community
through the ACA.” In Jefferson County, the Board of Health’s goal is
to enroll 60% of those eligible for Medicaid by June 30, 2014 and
enroll 50% of those eligible for the Qualified Health Plans by March
31, 2014. Wagner noted that his organization, Family Health Centers, is expanding in order to provide care for an additional 10,000
patients, offering resources for enrollment, and accepting same
day appointments.
Expecting a 44% increase in Medicaid eligible patients, the Board of
Health Workforce Issues Subcommittee is charged with reviewing
capacity issues. Referencing a 2013 Deloitte study, Tim Marcum indicated that Kentucky has an estimated shortage of 183 to 256 primary
care physicians, yet he acknowledged that the need is actually much
greater than the study reflects. Marcum said that for local systems to
meet the needs of newly uninsured patients, the key will be to use
a team health care approach, educate patients about “better ways
of getting care than going to the ER,” and for
providers to open their Medicaid panels a
bit to see a limited amount of new patients.
New York Times Videographer Emma Cott
As part of its ongoing commitment to report
on how the ACA is playing out in Louisville,
the New York Times sent reporters to attend
the GLMS town hall and interview physicians
to gain a deeper understanding of specific
practice concerns across various specialties.
Aside from politics, many members have
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