Nation's largest publicly operated health plan supports enhanced payment under Affordable Care Act provisions
LOS ANGELES — L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan, is pleased to announce that it is beginning to make payments — expected to total more than $400 million over two years — to eligible primary care providers in its Medi-Cal network thanks to a provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The two year (calendar year 2013 through 2014) increase makes payment equivalent to Medicare reimbursement rates.
To be eligible for enhanced payment, physicians must practice general internal medicine, family medicine, pediatric medicine or a sub specialty under one of these designations.
"Thanks to the ACA, not only are more Los Angeles residents receiving high quality, affordable health care, but Medi-Cal primary care providers, who devote their time and expertise daily to patients, are now receiving higher payments," said Howard A. Kahn, L.A. Care Chief Executive Officer. "While this is a temporary payment adjustment for the time being, it will go a long way in helping providers who care for people enrolled in Medi-Cal."
All L.A. Care contracted physician groups and plan partners will be paid 2013 ACA funds in June; individual eligible physicians will receive retroactive enhanced payment from these groups within a few weeks of their groups receiving payments.
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