CMS approved cuts in Medi-Cal in California, which will have consequences for Medi-Cal patients to find quality health care providers in California by Barbara Kempen | Oct 28, 2011 | Affordable Health Insurance, Health Insurance Brentwood, Health Insurance Pacific Palisades, Health Insurance Santa Monica CMS, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved California state budget proposals to reduce Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates by 10 % , which will have consequences for Medi-Cal patients to find quality health care providers in California. The Budget cut assumes a savings of$ 623 million General Fund from the reimbursement proposals. Specifically, these proposals received approval: * A 10 % provider payment reduction on a number of outpatient services , including physicians, clinics, optometrists, therapists, laboratories, dental , durable medical equipment and pharmacy. * A 10 % provider payment reduction for freestanding nursing, adult subacute facilities, and for distinct part/nursing facility-B services. As a consequence to the 10 % reimbursement rate reduction fewer doctors will be willing to see Medi-cal patients, which are in California approx. 7.6 million poor and disabled Californians. A 10 % reduction for physician/ clinic services for children was not approved. Until further discussion with CMS is the proposed “soft cap” of seven visits for physicians and clinics and requiring a beneficiary co-payments on most Medi-Cal covered services. The total Medi-Cal budget restrictions total is planned to be $ 1.7 billion for the fiscal year of 2011-12. With California being almost bankrupt, cuts in Medi-Cal are unavoidable, but it will be harder for the Medi-Cal patients to find quality health care providers willing to treat the poor and disabled.