Readiness concerns raised for Medicaid privatization

     With the rollout of Iowa’s Medicaid Modernization plan just weeks away, unanswered questions about the state’s readiness continue to raise concerns among both Medicaid recipients and public officials.

     On Nov. 6, Timothy Hill, deputy director of the Center for Medicaid (CMS), sent a letter to Iowa’s Medicaid director, Mikki Stier, expressing concerns about the state’s readiness to shift control of Medicaid administration to private groups. Hill appreciated the state’s efforts to establish the new delivery system and conduct outreach to beneficiaries and providers, but he still held reservations.

     “CMS has significant concerns that the implementation timeframes for the transition to managed care may place access, continuity of care and quality of care for beneficiaries at risk,” he wrote. “We are also concerned about the extent to which managed care organizations (MCOs), providers and Medicaid beneficiaries are prepared for the transition.”

     Read the full article in the November 26 edition of the papers.

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