Variation by state in Medicaid sterilization policies for physician reimbursement

To evaluate state-level variation in Medicaid sterilization reimbursement policies for physicians in terms of policy details, flexibility, and review process.

We reviewed state Medicaid websites and interviewed state employees to better understand reimbursement policies and implementation. We attempted to obtain policy details and instructions for physicians from all 50 state Medicaid office websites. We invited employees in all 50 state Medicaid director's offices to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews.

We were able to collect data from 48 states' websites for analysis, conducted 15 telephone interviews, and received 4 written responses from state Medicaid employees. State policies varied greatly in terms of degree of instruction available online to clinicians, number of content-related and logistical changes made compared to the federal policy, type of procedures included, corrections permitted, flexibility in terms of surgeon and procedure changes, review process, reasons for and ramifications of denial, and date of last policy revision.

There is need for increased transparency and instruction by state Medicaid offices as well as revision of the Medicaid policy to account for the contemporary clinical practice of female permanent contraception. Clinicians should communicate with state Medicaid employees in order to clarify important policy details and obtain greater understanding of their state's review process and ramifications to ensure their clinical practice is both correct and reimbursable.

Greater consistency between states in terms of Medicaid policy and implementation is crucial to ensuring physicians are fairly reimbursed for their work, and female permanent contraception remains an accessible contraceptive method for women.