Some doctors are proposing to make Missouri's Medicaid program a little more like a health club.
A proposal outlined Tuesday to a House Medicaid committee would set up a pilot project in which primary care physicians would be paid a flat monthly amount for each Medicaid patient they accept. The patients then would be entitled to an unlimited number of visits, phone calls or emails with the doctor.
Hospital visits and other specialty care would be paid for separately through a high-deductible health insurance plan purchased by state.
The plan was put forth by House member Keith Frederick, an orthopedic surgeon from Rolla. A St. Louis doctor testified on its behalf Tuesday.
House committee members are considering a variety of proposals for revamping Medicaid.