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Waiver of Medicaid Freedom-of-Choice Requirement: Potential Savings and Practical Problems

HRD-82-90 Published: Jul 20, 1982. Publicly Released: Jul 20, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the Medicaid freedom-of-choice requirement to determine whether savings can be achieved and to identify the practical problems that may be encountered if freedom of choice were eliminated and the services were furnished by lower cost providers.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should provide additional guidance to the States on the information necessary to show compliance with the law for waivers to limit freedom of choice of Medicaid recipients.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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Topics

Cost effectiveness analysisEligibility criteriastate relationsHealth care costsHealth care servicesWaiversMedicaidHospitalsPhysiciansPatient care