Medicaid reimbursement rates are set by individual states, and they vary wildly between states. Pennsylvania's Medicaid rates are the worst in the nation, at less than one-third of the equivalent Medicare rate and less than half of the national average.
On the other end of the spectrum, Nebraska reimburses for Medicaid at rates more than five times higher than Pennsylvania, according to a Health Affairs study published April 3.
Ten states with the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates, as a percentage of Medicare rates for the same procedures:
1. Pennsylvania: 32 percent
2. Rhode Island: 47 percent
3. Maine: 49 percent
4. Illinois: 54 percent
5. Louisiana: 57 percent
6. Ohio: 57 percent
7. Michigan: 58 percent
8. New Hampshire: 59 percent
9. California: 61 percent
10. Kentucky: 62 percent
Ten states with the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates, as a percentage of a weighted national average for Medicaid reimbursement for the same procedures:
1. Pennsylvania: 46 percent
2. Rhode Island: 67 percent
3. Maine: 70 percent
4. Illinois: 76 percent
5. Louisiana: 78 percent
6. Ohio: 78 percent
7. New Hampshire: 79 percent
8. Michigan: 80 percent
9. California: 88 percent
10. Alabama: 89 percent