Medicaid recipients in Kentucky to lose coverage, gain weird rewards accountsinstead

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Have you ever thought that health insurance paperwork was too straightforward? Do you really love keeping track of your credit card points and customer loyalty card accounts at retailers? Would you prefer that the government do more to tell you how to live a good life?

Then you’ll love Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s (R) plan to overhaul Medicaid by cutting benefits, charging low-income recipients for services, and making them jump through hoops to earn health coverage points in new “MyRewards Accounts.”

From a glance at Bevin’s proposal, it’s easy to mistake the “MyRewards” idea for an expansion of coverage. The changes are described as “benefit enhancements” in a new, detailed implementation proposal from the consulting firm Deloitte.

Bevin’s plan is in fact a benefit cut. Kentucky’s Medicaid program currently includes vision and dental. If you’re eligible for Medicaid in Kentucky, then you’re eligible for coverage of regular tooth checkups and eye exams under state law.

Bevincare would “enhance” Medicaid benefits by taking several of them away. You will lose the security of knowing your eye doctor and dentist will see you when you need them, and gain the exciting new opportunity to earn chits toward the cost of those same services.

https://thinkprogress.org/kentucky-gamify-medicaid-d86d1aed6760