NCART, rehab providers keep an eye on Medicaid

ST. LOUIS - The second NCART National Medicaid Summit is set for Nov. 30-Dec. 1, and Executive Director Don Clayback can't wait to show attendees what he's been up to since last year.

The first summit offered a basic overview of federal policies for Medicaid, Clayback said. The second one will offer more real-life examples of Medicaid policy changes and payment reductions and strategies for how to deal with them.

Clayback will also update attendees on what's going on with the states NCART found were not complying with federal regulations during the last summit.

"Sometimes states might deviate from the federal policies because no one is holding them accountable," said Clayback. "They kind of stray from what they should be doing."

One example is Mississippi, where Medicaid restricts coverage for power wheelchairs to only people under the age of 21. That's not allowed, Clayback said. NCART has hired attorneys to work with the state to get its policies back in line.

The summit will also offer opportunities to network and share strategies for speakers and attendees.

One common theme throughout the country: Tight budgets have state officials looking at Medicaid as a place to cut costs. Clayback said the summit will offer updates and advice on that issue.

"I think providers need to be very current on what's going on in their own state, but also what's going on in other states so they can potentially do some proactive education," Clayback said.

The summit will offer six to eight different presentations over a day and a half. Registration is expected to open later this summer.