SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexico is pursuing federal authority to charge medical co-payments and some other costs to patients enrolled in Medicaid health care for the poor and disabled, the state Human Services Department secretary told lawmakers on Wednesday.Secretary Brent Earnest said “nominal” co-payments and other charges would provide a small economic incentive to steer patients away from wasteful expenses, such as the use of emergency room services for routine care.Earnest said the agency has not yet established copayment prices for Medicaid services and certain prescription drugs, or determined how much money the state might save over time.
Source: New Mexico seeks copays from Medicaid patients | The News Tribune