State proposes increases to Medicaid co-pays

Some of Georgia’s poorest residents would see health care costs rise starting in September in the form of increased co-pays for Medicaid and newly created co-pays for PeachCare for Kids, according to changes proposed Thursday by the state Department of Community Health.

Among the proposed changes, the existing co-pay for inpatient hospital services would double to $25, Jerry Dubberly, the state’s Medicaid division chief, said at a department board meeting. Co-pays for prescription medications, vision care and other services would also rise in a move that is expected to save the state roughly $4.2 million.

Children ages 6 or older enrolled in PeachCare would be affected the most dramatically, since families in the health care program currently do not have co-pays, Dubberly said. Medicaid and PeachCare provide health care to roughly 1.7 million low-income Georgians.