(WBKO) – As House Bill 2 moves forward in Frankfort, advocates with Kentucky Voices for Health say they are concerned about new Medicaid copayments included in the bill.
Under the proposal, the state could implement the maximum federally allowed copays — up to $35 for certain inpatient hospital services.
What the costs could look like for patients
Kentucky Voices for Health said the fees would compound quickly for patients requiring ongoing treatment.
“A cancer patient needs a lot of care. They may have surgery that requires an inpatient stay. That would be $35. The biopsy, that would be $20. Having your labs taken every week while you’re getting chemotherapy would be $20 for that blood work. The chemo, another $20. The radiation, if you have to have radiation, $20. Then on top of that, there are medications, there’s physical therapy, occupational therapy for some patients. It’s just going to add up. These are the patients who need the most care and will be paying the most out of pocket,” said executive director for Kentucky Voices of Health, Emily Beauregard.
For cancer patients and others with serious medical conditions, inpatient visits can mean surgeries, intensive treatments, or emergency complications.
Advocates warn of delayed and skipped care
Advocates argue repeated hospital stays could quickly multiply out-of-pocket costs for patients living on limited incomes. They say research shows when healthcare costs go up — even modestly — some patients delay or skip care altogether.
“What I would expect to happen is that someone would think twice about whether or not to get a particular test or to go see their doctor when they’re not feeling so well and wait until it’s too late,” Beauregard said. ”It’s really become an emergency, and they end up in the ER,”
Kentucky Voices for Health said the concern is not just about one $35 charge, but about what happens when that fee applies again and again during ongoing treatment.
“This will increase the out-of-pocket maximum for cancer patients who are seeking treatment. That is very important because most of the time these patients are getting their treatment in a hospital-type setting. So it could have delays for care. It could also actually, in some cases, keep people from having the care that they so desperately need,” said Government Relations Director for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Doug Hogan.
Advocates are urging senators to study copays further before making a decision that would impact access to care.