The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its decision on the implementation of the Iowa Health Link managed care program. The program will now begin on March 1, 2016, instead of January 1, 2016.
In the meantime, Medicaid members can continue to see their current providers. Letters are being mailed by December 24, 2015, 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 date.
DHS initially selected four managed care organizations (MCOs) to administer the Iowa Health Link program. On December 18, 2015, the Notice of Intent to Award was reversed for WellCare following an appeals process. While further litigation may continue, Iowa Medicaid will tentatively reassign members who were initially assigned to, or who chose Wellcare during the enrollment process. The new tentative assignments will be sent in January.