The departure of one of three statewide Medicaid operators next year is once again raising concerns about adequate medical coverage in parts of the state. Earlier this year, coverage was one of the issues brought up between Coventry Cares, another operator, and hospital chain Appalachian Regional Healthcare in a lawsuit over contract issues.
Ovarian cancer can be very deadly, in part because it is difficult to detect in its early stages. Cancer specialists in Kentucky say the disease has frequently progressed to stage 3 or stage 4 by the time it is found. Dr. Daniel Metzinger of the Brown Cancer Center in Louisville says the disease can spread relatively quickly. He's one of the interview guests in our special two part report on ovarian cancer.
As the fallout continues from the announced departure of statewide Medicaid operator Kentucky Spirit, many other Medicaid operators are already looking to take their place. Kentucky Spirit announced last week they would break their contract with the state early. State officials say they won’t re-open those statewide contracts to replace Kentucky Spirit until the current contracts expire.
