Prepare fopr Medicaid changes
Despite our repeated efforts to stop or delay it, Governor Branstad’s ill-conceived plan to turn over management of Iowa Medicaid to three out-of-state companies becomes a reality for 560,000 Iowans on April 1.
Medicaid recipients, health care providers and advocates are worried and frustrated about how this major shake-up will impact our elderly and Iowans with disabilities. Senate Democrats will continue fighting for them by pushing for tough oversight and accountability to keep Iowa’s health care safety net strong.
In the meantime, here are some resources to help Iowans transition to the new system:
• Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will offer health coverage to most Medicaid recipients and work directly with them regarding their coverage beginning April 1.
o Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-600-4441
Web: www.myamerigroup.com/IA
o AmeriHealth Caritas
Phone: 1-855-332-2440
Web: www.amerihealthcaritasia.com
o UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley
Phone: 1-800-464-9484
Web: www.UHCCommunityPlan.com/ia
• Medicaid Member Services will assist Medicaid recipients with questions and concerns about health care coverage, MCO enrollment, and which MCOs their health care provider has signed up with.
Toll Free: 1-800-338-8366
Local: 515-256-4606
Website: www.IAHealthLink.gov
Email: IMEMemberServices@dhs.state.ia.us
• Iowa Medicaid Provider Services will enroll health care providers with Iowa Medicaid and assist with eligibility and MCO questions. Providers must also contract with MCOs to be reimbursed for health care services to Medicaid members.
Toll Free: 1-800-338-7909
Local: 515-256-4609
Email: IMEProviderServices@dhs.state.ia.us
Upcoming public forums
Stacyville Legislative Listening Post: April 16, 2016 @ 9:30 am at Stacyville Public Library, 106 N Broad St, Stacyville.
Additional information
This is a legislative update from Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm, representing Howard, Chickasaw, Mitchell, Floyd, Worth and portions of Cerro Gordo and Winneshiek counties. For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/wilhelm.
To contact Senator Wilhelm during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise she can be reached at home at 563-547-4156. E-mail her at mary.jo.wilhelm@legis.iowa.gov.
Senator Wilhelm is an assistant majority leader, chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget and vice-chair of the Local Government Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Economic Growth, Education and Human Resources committees.
