07/05/2023

State Budget Boosts Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Provides KSUCPM Funding

New funding for Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine and a 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for podiatrists are highlights of the state budget signed into law July 3 by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

The two-year spending plan includes a total of $6.8 million in State Share of Instruction (SSI) funding for Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. The funding will decrease tuition for Ohio residents resulting in a projected 30% decrease in debt for graduates.

“Ohio natives who attend KSUCPM were previously the only in-state medical students who did not receive SSI funding,” said OHFAMA President Adam Thomas, DPM, an Ohio native and 2006 graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. “The state budget addresses this disparity and will strengthen the pipeline of Ohioans practicing podiatry in our state.”

KSUCPM is one of eleven podiatric medical schools in the country and over 80% of licensed Ohio podiatrists who live in Ohio graduated from KSUCPM (or its predecessor, Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine). Moreover, over 75% of the nearly 150 residents currently training in Ohio are KSUCPM graduates.

In addition to reducing tuition for in-state students, the SSI funding would allow KSUCPM to allocate resources to improve the educational experience for all students through upgraded technology, more adjunct clinical faculty, and enhanced learning spaces.

OHFAMA thanks State Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), whose district includes KSUCPM, for his leadership in securing this vital funding for the college.

Medicaid Reimbursement Rates Increased

Ohio podiatrists will receive a 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates as part of the newly signed state budget.

Through OHFAMA’s successful lobbying efforts, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) budget request included a 5% increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rates for podiatrists. This request was adopted by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor DeWine.

OHFAMA Executive Director Mike Mathy, who testified before the House Health and Human Services Subcommittee on March 22 and the Senate Medicaid Committee on May 11 in support of boosting Medicaid reimbursement rates, hailed the much-needed increase for podiatrists.

“Podiatry has always been an important part in the team concept of care in Ohio’s Medicaid system, but like other providers, costs to administer care have significantly gone up for our members while reimbursement levels have remained flat,” said Mathy. “This reimbursement increase will help Ohio’s podiatrists remain an important part in delivering quality, cost-effective services to our state’s Medicaid recipients.”

OHFAMA would like to thank our partners at ODM, legislative leaders, and Governor Mike DeWine for recognizing a need to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers in the state budget. A special thank you to our lobbyists, Dan Leite and Courtney Saunders, for their guidance and hard work to secure this victory.