The Senate version of the budget this year contain the following proviso:
33.32. (DHHS: In-state Medicaid Providers Lab Services) Whenever possible, contracts with managed care plans participating in the Healthy Connections Choices program shall apply an in-state provider preference when contracting for laboratory services if the in-state provider is able to provide the requested service at the same or less cost as an out-of-state provider.
What this means is all of the Medicaid hmo’s are required to consider contracting with in-state when possible. Currently the two largest medicaid hmo’s send all of their lab work to a company in North Carolina. This proviso simple calls for a chance for South Carolina labs to participate. Unfortunately, the SC House budget amendment struck this proviso.
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