Article archive / October 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 2. Source pages: 4, 5.
In a press release earlier this year, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals outlined reductions it is making to cope with the $25.9 million state general fund shortfall that came in the state’s final operating budget for 2014.The announcement included:
Office of Aging and Adult Services. OAAS will achieve savings through reduction, elimination or renegotiation of certain professional service contracts. The office will also eliminate 18 positions, including a Deputy Assistant Secretary position whose responsibilities have been consolidated with another position in the Department.
OAAS will achieve savings through further realignment and reduction of regional administrative staff and Adult Protect Services (APS) positions. APS investigators will continue to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect in institutional facilities and in community settings. Complaints about specific licensed providers will now be investigated by DHH Health Standards staff. OAAS will also capture savings through the Medicaid payments budget as the Department implements utilization controls.
Office of Behavioral Health. OBH will achieve savings through additional self-generated revenue and a recalculation of the administrative cost component of its contract with the Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership Statewide Managing Organization, with no impact to service delivery. Other savings identified by OBH include a higher use of generic prescription drugs at its facilities and a postponement of certain equipment acquisitions and maintenance.
Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities: OCDD savings will be achieved through the elimination of six vacancies. Other savings will be captured through the Medicaid payments budget as the Department implements utilization controls.
Office of Public Health: OPH will generate savings by leveraging other available funds for vital records contracts, realigning staff functions in the molluscan shellfish and immunization programs, and reducing certain Children’s Special Health Services contracts with no impact to services. OPH will also reduce contract positions for the Nurse Family Partnership program, which will have a minimal impact to the outcomes of the program. Children and families enrolled in the Medicaid Bayou Health program may be eligible for case management services through their health plans.
Office of the Secretary: Savings will come through the elimination of various vacant positions, some of which will come from the Health Standards Division.
Medicaid Administration: Medicaind will achieve svavings through reduction of contract funding related to the Medicaid Management Information System and vacancies.
Medicaid Provider Payments: Medicaid will achieve savings through several strategies, which include: 1. Effective July 1, 2013, DHH will reduce Medicaid dental provider rates by three percent. 2. DHH will make adjustments to the Upper Payment Limit and LINCCA programs. 3. DHH will implement heightened utilization controls for high-cost programs provided through federal waivers. No individuals currently receiving services will be impacted.
Developmental Disabilities Council: The Developmental Disabilities council will reduce contracts that provide information and referral services, peer-to- peer support, and education and training. This overall reduction will be made across contracts with nine agencies.
Human Service Districts and Authorities: The districts operate within their own governance and executive leadership, with the implementation strategy for reductions determined locally. Districts and authorities have targeted reductions in an effort to maintain critical services and minimize the impact on individuals they serve. Each will achieve savings through various techniques such as supply and travel reductions, staff reductions, delays of planned service expansions, contract reductions, attrition savings and increased ability to bill third-party payer sources.
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