Medicaid Provider Payments Could Be Delayed

West Virginia officials warn that payments to Medicaid providers may be delayed because of budget issues. The Department of Health and Human Resources told providers in a letter Monday that the state may be unable to pay providers within the same timeframe or level because of a deficit that began at $354 million for 2016 and $466 million for 2017. Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss told lawmakers to prepare for a worse 2016 hole. The 2017 shortfall estimate already increased by $92 million. The Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin are negotiating tax increases, cuts and using reserves to craft a budget covering the remaining 2017 shortfall of $270 million. The next budget year starts July 1.