Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Iowa Governor Dismisses Criticism Of Private Medicaid Managed Care Firms
The Des Moines Register: Branstad Scoffs At Criticism Of Medicaid Managed Care
Gov. Terry Branstad dismissed criticism of his move to privatize management of Iowa's Medicaid program, saying Monday the change is eliminating fraud and abuse and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Medicaid health insurance, which serves 560,000 low-income Iowans at a cost of about $4.2 billion annually, has had its management shifted to three private companies after previously being operated by the government. (Petroski, 8/22)
Iowa Public Radio: Branstad: Some Companies "Not Following" Medicaid Privatization Rules
Gov. Terry Branstad confirmed on Monday that the for-profit companies now managing Iowa’s multi-billion dollar Medicaid program did not follow the rules in the first two months of operation. But the governor also says the state issued no warnings or fees, in spite of complaints of late payments to health care providers and delayed care to patients. (Russell, 8/22)
The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette: Branstad: 'Significant' Savings From Iowa's Privately Managed Medicaid
Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday defended the state’s switch to privately managed care for Iowa’s Medicaid recipients, saying the new system is saving the state “significant” money by rooting out fraud and abuse that previously had gone undetected. Meanwhile, two of the three insurance companies tasked with managing the Medicaid system saw losses in the tens of millions of dollars during the first six months of the year, according to financial statements filed with the Iowa Insurance Division. (8/22)
The Des Moines Register: Medicaid Managers Report Millions In Iowa Losses
Two of the three private companies managing Iowa’s Medicaid program say they’ve lost tens of millions of dollars so far, new reports filed with the state show. AmeriHealth Caritas reported last week that it ran a $42.6 million deficit on its Iowa operations in the first six months of 2016. Amerigroup reported it lost $66.7 million. The third Medicaid management company, UnitedHealthcare, did not break out its Iowa results in its report. (Leys, 8/22)
And in Medicaid news from Texas —
Dallas Morning News: Texas Owes The Medicaid Program $57.8 Million, Report Says
The state of Texas received nearly $58 million from the federal Medicaid program for health services that did not qualify for reimbursement — and it may be asked to return part of the money. Payments made to six facilities within the University of Texas academic health system were calculated in a way that did not meet federal and state requirements, according to an audit released this month by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General. (Rice, 8/22)
