Physicians' Medicaid Enhancement Plan

The purpose of the Physician Provider Medicaid Enhancement Bill is to increase access to health care services for indigent persons by providing revenues for increasing the physician fee schedule under Medicaid thus conforming these fees as closely as possible to the provider's usual and customary charges. This is accomplished by taxing the physician provider upon that portion of Medicaid reimbursements exclusively funded by state revenue. These tax revenues are then used to generate increased federal matching dollars. The bill is encapsulated under two separate chapters of the West Virginia Code: Chapter 9, Human Services; and Chapter 11, Taxation. Chapter 9, article 4-B establishes the Physician Provider Medicaid Enhancement Fund. Section 9-4B-1 details several legislative findings, while section 9-4B-2 lists applicable definitions in the bill. Section 9-4B-3 establishes the Medicaid Enhancement Board and sets term lengths for each member. The seven member "board" is to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall include: four allopathic physicians nominated by the West Virginia State Medical Association; one osteopathic physician nominated by the West Virginia Osteopathic Society; and one lay person. In addition to these members, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources is to serve as an ex-officio member. Each board member is to be paid $100 per day of board related business plus other reasonable and necessary expenses. Section 9-4B-5 details the powers and duties of the board.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)