$8B Medicaid savings plan agreed upon by state, federal officials

ALBANY -- New York and federal officials report final agreement allowing the state to reinvest $8 billion in Medicaid savings to support hospital overhauls and expand primary medical care over the next five years.

The goal of the Medicaid waiver is to reduce avoidable hospital use by 25 percent while helping financially struggling hospitals shift to more primary and outpatient care.

The Department of Health and Human Services says New York will have to meet ongoing milestones for funding.

It includes $500 million for interim subsidies and $6.42 billion as incentives for overhauls.

Another $1.08 billion is for Medicaid improvements such as "health homes" for complicated patients as well as long-term and behavioral care.

More than 5 million of New York's 19 million people are enrolled in state and federally funded Medicaid.

-- AP