A law allowing providers to charge Medicaid patients for missing appointments in the state of Missouri needs federal approval before it can be implemented, The Columbia Missourian reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. The law was supposed to go into effect on Oct. 14, but it is in conflict with federal regulation. The federal government needs to allow for it to do so.
2. If the feds do approve it, regulation dictates that providers would have to charge every patient for missing an appointment, not just Medicaid patients.
3. The Missouri General Assembly overrode Governor Jay Nixon's veto to implement the law.
4. In similar cases, the federal government rejected two other states' requests. Bill sponsor Missouri Sen. David Sater (R-Cassville) is confident the bill will be approved.
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