January 01, 2016  |  Issue 1  |  Volume 1

Medicaid e-News
Implementation: 
IA Health Link Launch Date  Update
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its decision on the implementation of the IA Health Link managed care program. The program will now begin on March 1, 2016, instead of January 1, 2016, pending final federal approval.
  • In the meantime, Medicaid members can continue to see their current providers. Letters were mailed to all members to update them on this extension.

Members will be able to choose their health plan until February 17, 2016, for coverage beginning March 1, 2016. Members will have until May 18, 2016 to make a change for any reason, and then for "good cause" reasons after that.

  • All currently enrolled providers can continue to see Medicaid members and receive current reimbursement through Iowa Medicaid during the transition period. See Informational Letter 1594-MC.
  • If you're a provider of behavioral health services, please find an important update on this transition in Informational Letter 1597.
 
Transition:
hawk-i Health Plan Changes Begin January 1
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reached a decision in the Managed Care Organization (MCO) transition for the  hawk-i program. The program will begin on March 1, 2016, instead of January 1, 2016, pending final federal approval.

All  hawk-i  coverage will be offered through UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley (UHC) during this transition, effective January 1, 2016. UHC has participated in the  hawk-i  program for 20 years and has experienced staff and established processes, and more than 17,000 providers in its network.  hawk-i  members were notified by mail that if they had Wellmark Health Plan their coverage would move to UHC. New enrollment cards were mailed this week.

A letter has been sent to members informing them of this change, you may view it here.

Integrated Health Home (IHH)
Beginning January 1, 2016, Integrated Health Home (IHH) providers previously enrolled with Magellan will work directly with the IME to support enrollment and payment for IHH members. See Informational Letter 1593-MC.

Contracting Continues
Providers are encouraged to continue working with the three MCOs to complete contracts and credentialing requirements in time for the anticipated March 1 launch date. Find the MCO contacts here. Iowa providers have signed more than 57,000 contracts with the MCOs. Each plan more than 60 percent of the currently active fee-for-service Iowa providers in their network. 

Upcoming Events:
Provider Training
Iowa Medicaid and the MCOs will be visiting 11 cities across Iowa with a new series of training sessions, and we'll be posting additional online provider training opportunities. Check the Iowa Medicaid calendar for new dates and locations, which are added regularly.
Informational Letters:
Reminder: Provider Informational Letters
Informational letters are posted through the IMPA system and are available on the DHS website here.  These letters communicate important policies and procedures for providers and their administrative staff. Providers should watch closely for these updates during the transition period. 
Nursing Facilities
Iowa Medicaid issued an Informational Letter to all Iowa Medicaid nursing facilities addressing the rate rebase time line. See Informational Letter 1595.


IA Health Link coverage begins March 1, 2016.
Managed Care Organizations:
Member Education and Enrollment
Tele-Townhall

Council Bluffs
Jan. 6, 2016  |   5-7pm


Member Education 
and Enrollment 
Tele-Townhall

Sioux Center
Jan. 12, 2016  |   5-7pm



Iowa Medicaid Enterprise | IMECommunications@dhs.state.ia.us | dhs.iowa.gov
100 Army Post Rd., Des Moines, IA 50315

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