CMS, HHS listen to more than an hour’s worth of frustrations

Sep 12, 2016 at 7:16 pm | Print View

Five months into the state’s move to Medicaid managed care, federal officials on Monday fielded more than an hour’s worth of complaints and frustrations from beneficiaries and health care providers during a public listening post.Iowa handed over its $5 billion Medicaid program to three private insurers — Amerigroup Iowa, AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa and UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley — on April 1. Since the transition, providers have reported late and inaccurate payments, while some beneficiaries have said they’ve experienced gaps in care. The state, meanwhile, has reported a smooth rollout, with only minor bumps along the way. Gov. Terry Branstad has said the switch will reduce fraud and waste.State Senate President Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, and other Senate Democrats requested the conference call.“A lot of payments — we’ve tracked nearly 30, but don’t …
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Months in, Iowa providers and beneficiaries tell feds Medicaid switch isn't working – The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines