The Department of Social Services board will look at budget needs and the soaring cost of Medicaid at its Tuesday meeting. It will also announce a list of events designed to draw attention to child abuse.
The board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the main offices at 1236 W. Innes St.
Tom Brewer, children’s services program administrator, will update the board on several activities scheduled in conjunction with the national observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month during April.
Lee Ann Christy, accountant for the department, will present the budget for the 2001-2002 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Officials have suggested it may be a difficult year, given the state cutbacks and increasing demands locally due to the rising jobless rate.
Officials have estimated that the county will exceed its Medicaid budget by $100,000 this year.
Last month, a state expert in Medicaid explained that the rising costs in Rowan and across the state are due to the increase in prescription drugs. Michael Winfield, a consultant with the Division of Medical Assistance, said costs are soaring because doctors are prescribing new drugs that are expensive.
The state Medicaid division has sent out fliers asking doctors to prescribe older, more commonly used drugs, which are less expensive.
A total of 13,803 Rowan residents are now using Medicaid.
During last month’s discussion, Winfield also called on the board to support a request for four additional Medicaid workers. Winfield said Rowan is one of three counties with the highest Medicaid caseload size per employee.
Social Service reports show increasing numbers of applications made and approved. In February, 717 applications were approved for family and children’s Medicaid, up more than 200 from January, when 476 applications were approved.
In other matters, the board will discuss the continuing facility needs. Last week, county commissioners deferred action on leasing additional space to ease overcrowding. Commissioners said they wanted to wait until the budget situation is clearer. Members also possibly wanted to look at other sites.
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