Arizona AHCCCS Makes Big Changes to Coverage
Updated: Wednesday, 01 Sep 2010, 6:02 PM MST
Published : Wednesday, 01 Sep 2010, 6:02 PM MST
PHOENIX - This Mesa man has been waiting 3 long years for a liver transplant, but it may not matter if he's at the top of the list -- he's just been informed that Arizona's state-funded Medicare program will no longer cover the transplant.
Because of the budget crisis, the state is looking to make cuts wherever it can.
Michael Pennington suffers from Hepatitis C, which he acquired during a blood transfusion. The illness forced him onto disability, and he gets medical coverage from the state's AHCCCS program.
But the state says due to severe budget cuts, AHCCCS will not cover the costs of his transplant. Pennington says if that happens, he'll die.
Many patients with public coverage will be impacted. The state says it will stop covering lung transplants, some heart transplants, and some bone marrow transplants.
Without coverage, the Penningtons will have to come up with $160,000 to pay for the surgery.
"We have no other options. I have to sit here and watch my husband die. And shame on the state and shame on the government if that happens," says Pennington's wife Debra.
The state says limiting some transplant coverage could save the state $4 million a year. The changes take effect on Oct. 1.
Details on the coverage changes:
www.azahcccs.gov/reporting/legislation/sessions/2010/BenefitChanges.aspx
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