COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ A new report shows Ohio's total Medicaid spending was nearly $2 billion below estimates for the fiscal year that ended in June, despite more newly eligible enrollees under an expansion of the program.
The report released Wednesday shows total Medicaid spending was $23.5 billion _ nearly 8 percent less than projected.
State officials tell The Columbus Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1f9MPYu ) that recent initiatives contributed to the savings, such as shorter nursing-home stays and expanded home-based care for seniors. The program also has new automated systems that more accurately determine the eligibility of applicants.
The savings follows Gov. John Kasich's (KAY'-siks) expansion of Medicaid to cover more low-income people, as allowed under the federal health overhaul.
Enrollment under the expansion was higher than expected, though state officials said fewer enrolled in traditional Medicaid.
