South Carolina may end Medicaid RIC!

[Fellow Traveler]

http://www.4eric.org/south-carolina-to-end-medicaid-funding-of-ric/

[coyotemist]

Whoo hoo!!!!!

Oregon already doesn't cover it.  It's not necessary, don't make taxpayers pay for cosmetic surgery (on top of doing what's best for the babies).

[Pumpkinheadmommy]

That's awesome!!!

[SeekingJoy]

As a former South Carolinian, this would be fantastic!

[tammylsmith]

what I found interesting was that they contacted reps from the AAP and based their decision on that. Given that the AAP is supposedly coming out with a new statement, maybe it will still be neutral (well, not that it was neutral before, but at least not outright recommending RIC?)

[Papai]

Originally Posted by tammylsmith 

what I found interesting was that they contacted reps from the AAP and based their decision on that. Given that the AAP is supposedly coming out with a new statement, maybe it will still be neutral (well, not that it was neutral before, but at least not outright recommending RIC?)

That struck me as well. Could be a positive sign.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by Papai 

Originally Posted by tammylsmith 

what I found interesting was that they contacted reps from the AAP and based their decision on that. Given that the AAP is supposedly coming out with a new statement, maybe it will still be neutral (well, not that it was neutral before, but at least not outright recommending RIC?)

That struck me as well. Could be a positive sign.

Yes, if we take the letter at its word (and I don't see any reason not to) then it is an encouraging sign.
 

[Contented73]

Can someone explain to me how this plays out after the birth at the hospital?  Do they still ask parents if they would like the procedure?  Do they tell them that the cost will not be covered, but that they can still pay out of pocket if they want?  Or does this conversation happen during prenatal care?  Just very curious about how it gets put into action.  My concern is that the parents do not even know it isn't covered, it is offered (as it is offered to all incoming L&D patients), and the parents have it done.  Then, of course, later, they receive a bill, but it is obviously too late because the damage is already done.

[Pirogi]

Originally Posted by Contented73 

Can someone explain to me how this plays out after the birth at the hospital?  Do they still ask parents if they would like the procedure?  Do they tell them that the cost will not be covered, but that they can still pay out of pocket if they want?  Or does this conversation happen during prenatal care?  Just very curious about how it gets put into action.  My concern is that the parents do not even know it isn't covered, it is offered (as it is offered to all incoming L&D patients), and the parents have it done.  Then, of course, later, they receive a bill, but it is obviously too late because the damage is already done.

 I would bet (sadly) that it would depend on the hospital and the "type" of patients they have.  A hospital with a large percentage of Medicaid patients may decrease circumcision solicitation, but I would imagine that hospitals with a large percentage of patients with private insurance won't change their practices.  They may even differentiate based on an individual's insurance situation (eek!).

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by Pirogi 

Originally Posted by Contented73 

Can someone explain to me how this plays out after the birth at the hospital?  Do they still ask parents if they would like the procedure?  Do they tell them that the cost will not be covered, but that they can still pay out of pocket if they want?  Or does this conversation happen during prenatal care?  Just very curious about how it gets put into action.  My concern is that the parents do not even know it isn't covered, it is offered (as it is offered to all incoming L&D patients), and the parents have it done.  Then, of course, later, they receive a bill, but it is obviously too late because the damage is already done.

 I would bet (sadly) that it would depend on the hospital and the "type" of patients they have.  A hospital with a large percentage of Medicaid patients may decrease circumcision solicitation, but I would imagine that hospitals with a large percentage of patients with private insurance won't change their practices.  They may even differentiate based on an individual's insurance situation (eek!).

From what I've heard, in most other states that have dropped it, the parents are told about that early on and are expected to pay in advance. I heard that initially in North Carolina there were some doctors who did it for free for those who couldn't pay, a perverse kind of charity I guess.

[Sunflower223]

They don't pay for it in MS and haven't for a while.  From what I have been told they tell you at the doctor's office on the first prenatal visit and have you sign some sort of form that you have been told.  I am glad more states are starting to drop this from medicaid. 

[pigpokey]

http://www.dhhs.state.sc.us/Internet/pdf/MedicaidReductionsBULLETIN.pdf  is a primary source on this one.

Sad to see that the poor can't die pain free any more (WTF? No adult hospice care anymore?) but at least quality of life will be improved on one end.