Companies Appeal Judge’s Finding That Iowa Dismiss One Of Four Medicaid Contracts
Also in Iowa, three large hospital systems sign contracts to participate in the state's new Medicaid managed care programs. Meanwhile, in other related news, a former Kansas Medicaid director offers ideas about how the programs in other states could be streamlined, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has finalized a rule regarding funding to help states upgrade technology for their Medicaid enrollment systems.
The Des Moines Register:
Companies Challenge Iowa's Medicaid Recommendation
Two companies have appealed an administrative law judge’s recommendation that Iowa throw out one of the four contracts behind a controversial plan to privatize the state’s Medicaid program, documents filed this week with the state show. WellCare, the company that Judge Christie Scase last week recommend should lose its state contract because of an unfair public bidding process, is asking the state to disregard the judge’s proposal. (Clayworth, 12/2)
The Des Moines Register:
Three Large Hospital Systems Sign Medicaid Contracts
Three of Iowa’s biggest hospital-and-clinic systems have signed contracts to provide care to patients who will be enrolled in new Medicaid managed-care programs, Gov. Terry Branstad’s office announced Thursday. UnityPoint Health, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Genesis Health System all have signed such contracts, Branstad said. The news comes amid concern that Medicaid patients would have few choices of health care providers when the new system is to take effect Jan. 1. (Leys, 12/3)
The Kansas Health Institute News Service:
Former Kansas Medicaid Director Sees Need For Reform In Many States
A former Kansas Medicaid director has authored a paper proposing ways to streamline Medicaid programs that he says are too fragmented in many states. Andy Allison, who also previously ran the Arkansas Medicaid program, presented the paper last month at a conference of state Medicaid directors. Medicaid is public health coverage jointly funded by federal and state governments that serves Americans with disabilities, low-income children and pregnant women, and some adults with low incomes who lack private insurance. (Marso, 12/3)
Modern Healthcare:
CMS Finalizes Rule Giving $3 Billion To States For Medicaid System Upgrades
The CMS has finalized a rule to permanently retain funding that helps states upgrade the technology they need to allow their residents to enroll in Medicaid. Nearly 25% of states are looking to modernize their aging, often very state-specific technology systems, many of which have experienced the stress of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. (Dickson, 12/3)
