California doctors are asking a federal appeals court to review a decision that allows the state to cut the Medi-Cal payment rate by 10 percent.
Up to 3 million more Californians could be eligible for Medi-Cal when health reform fully kicks in next year. Doctors complain the state is asking physicians to treat this influx of patients while it's cutting their payment rate.
La Mesa physician Ted Mazer said the state first proposed the 10 percent cut when its finances were in poor shape.
"All of a sudden the state says we have plenty of money, but we're just gonna cut rates anyway. And it makes no sense," Mazer complained. "It does not fulfill the public need, and it certainly doesn't fulfill the commitment of the state of California to be at the forefront of healthcare reform implementation."
State officials said the pay cut will save about $430 million a year. Last month, a three-judge panel ruled the cut was legal.
