Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol

Wisconsin is one of a handful of states that will receive part of $400 million in Medicare underpayments.

The state will get about 8 percent of the funds to help offset past underpayments made by the federal insurance program.

Lawmakers from several states, including Wisconsin, Iowa, Washington and Minnesota, argued for part of the healthcare reform funds to help rural hospitals with costs. However, their states won’t get much, and other lawmakers who lobbied for the funds won’t see any in their own states.

Federal officials decided New York state hospitals deserved the lion’s share of the pot. It will receive 12 percent of the money.

On the Web

State of New York comes out ahead in Medicare payments (FierceHealthcare.com)

New York leads states in extra Medicare payments (The New York Times)