VIDEO: An Alabama Hospital Is No Longer Accepting Mississippi Medicaid, Many Mississippi Families Are Feeling The Impact

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI)-Children’s Hospital of Alabama is no longer accepting Mississippi Medicaid.

The decision comes after a contract dispute between the hospital and Medicaid. This comes as devastating news for one Amory family.

“I’m frustrated,” said Bill Elam, who’s son regularly goes to the Children’s of Alabama.

Elam said he was made aware of this decision this past Friday.

He’s been taking his son to the Children’s of Alabama for five years.

His nine year old son, Robbie, is just one of the nearly 125 patients possibly affected now that Children’s Hospital of Alabama is no longer accepting Mississippi Medicaid patients.

On average, Robbie goes to the Children’s in Birmingham two to three times a year to have his gastronomy tube replaced.

“I don’t know what we’ll happen if his tube goes to leaking,” said Elam. “I don’t know what I’ll do, I really don’t. If he can’t eat we have problems.”

Elam believes United Healthcare, a managed care program under Medicaid, is reason for the problem.

“I’m hearing that united doesn’t want to work with the hospital,” he explained. “So the hospital therefore, have a lot of patients that come there from Mississippi, and they can’t keep performing everything for free, that’s basically what’s happening.”

Elam said this news still has him at a loss for words. He’s tried calling United for answers but got no results.

“They told me that they, the children’s of Alabama is no longer excepting Mississippi Medicaid, the doctors warrant in the network, and that was basically all they said,” he recalled.

The single father is still searching and trying to figure out what he’s going to do next.

He’s visited other hospitals in Jackson and Memphis, but Children’s of Alabama is the only one he feels comfortable taking his son to for his treatments.

“I’m sure Jackson can do it if I let them put him to sleep every time, but I’m just not comfortable with that,” he expressed. “I have asked them before, what are you waiting on him not to wake up? It’s difficult when you get put to sleep a lot.”

Elam said he’s tired of waiting, and has even written the governor asking for help.

Robbie will need to go to the doctor in the next few months, and This determined father said he’s willing to move across the state line to get his son whatever treatment is needed.

“Why should I have to put a for sale sign in my yard, sell my home just to get quality healthcare for my child. And that’s my whole thing why should I have to move just to get better healthcare,” said Elam.
WCBI has reached out to Children’s Hospital of Alabama for a comment on their decision to part ways with Mississippi Medicaid, but so far they haven’t gotten back with us.