Caps on counties' share of Medicaid costs have translated to savings for most counties across the state, the state Department of Health reported.

Cayuga County has saved nearly $988,050. The expenses were capped at more than $12,250,000. The county saved more money than the average of upstate counties, as well as the whole state.

The figures are for the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2007. The Medicaid local share cap legislation was passed in 2005. This is the first full state fiscal year for calculating the savings.

The state Health Department representatives expect these savings to increase over time as the state continues to pick up a larger and larger percentage of overall Medicaid costs, state Health Commissioner Richard Daines indicated in a press release.

The legislation also authorizes county Medicaid demonstration initiatives. Counties can get a share of the cost recoveries resulting from the initiatives.

“Historically, the county share of Medicaid expenditures has increased annually and Medicaid has significantly strained county budgets for many years,” Daines said. “The legislation limits county Medicaid expenditures, providing much-needed fiscal relief to counties after years of significant Medicaid budget growth.”