W.Va. Looking to Expand Medicaid Managed Care - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

West Virginia is looking at changing the way Medicaid provides health care to some of its sickest people. But the plan is raising concerns among advocates for those who rely on this government program.

The plan involves people who are so disabled that they have rarely or never been able to work. The state Bureau of Medical Services wants to start shifting these people into managed care in December.

Managed care is similar to health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, found in private insurance. It's an alternative to paying a fee for each doctor visit, medical test or procedure.

Advocacy groups are questioning this approach. But state Medicaid programs nationwide are increasingly turning to managed care.

State officials expect to discuss this plan Monday at a legislative interim meeting.

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