More cuts coming for children's residential psychiatric care facilities in Kansas

Kansas plans to reduce funding to providers of residential psychiatric care for children, an added challenge to facilities that already saw cuts earlier this year.

Providers and advocates worry the additional reduction could force some providers out of business and result in fewer children receiving care. The announcement comes after Gov. Sam Brownback cut Medicaid reimbursement rates by 4 percent in May to help balance the budget.

The move is expected to save about $350,000 from the state general fund.

Currently, residential psychiatric treatment facilities (PRTFs) receive a payment each day a child is in their facility. However, they also receive payment on days when the child is out of the facility but a bed must still be reserved – “reserve days.” The child may be in the hospital, or at home, or elsewhere.

Read more: http://www.hutchnews.com/news/local_state_news/more-cuts-coming-for-children-s-residential-psychiatric-care-facilities/article_18896647-38c6-54c1-ba7c-5c6a8762fbc4.html