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Medicaid news for members, providers and stakeholders.
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Iowa Medicaid Director Elizabeth Matney Selected for National Medicaid Leadership Institute
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is pleased to announce that Iowa Medicaid Director Elizabeth Matney is one of six Medicaid directors chosen to participate in the Medicaid Leadership Institute (MLI), a national initiative directed by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The program offers a unique opportunity for Medicaid directors and their key staff from across the U.S. to enhance the skills necessary to successfully lead and improve their state programs and impact health outcomes.
“I could not be prouder of Liz’s selection to the Medicaid Leadership Institute. There are few people in the Medicaid space who can match her knowledge of the program, compassion for the people it serves, and drive to have the tough conversations to get things done” said DHS Director Kelly Garcia. “I look forward to seeing what she brings back from MLI, and the positive changes ahead.”
Matney was competitively selected to participate in the leadership development program along with five additional Medicaid directors from: Alaska, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania.
“Medicaid directors across the country are in the driver’s seat to foster innovations that improve health care delivery to people who use Medicaid, many of whom face social and economic factors that negatively impact health,” said Don Schwarz, senior vice president, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Our commitment to leadership development for these state officials helps promote innovative thinking to center health equity and strengthen collaboration across state government, public health, and community organizations, all critically needed in our current environment.”
This new class of the Medicaid Leadership Institute marks the 11th group of Medicaid directors chosen for this prestigious executive training opportunity. With this new class, 65 directors from 41 Medicaid agencies have participated in the program since 2009. It is directed by Mark Larson, senior vice president at CHCS, former Vermont Medicaid director, and Class of 2014 MLI Fellow.
“Medicaid directors play a critical role in driving positive change across our health care system, including addressing the lasting challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Larson said. “We are excited to support this year’s class of six dedicated Medicaid directors and their teams in leading their programs, which are so critical to the well-being of millions of our neighbors in America.”
“The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) has partnered with MLI since 2009 to invest in state leaders who are integral to the health of the nation,” said Jami Snyder, NAMD Board President; Director, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System; and Class of 2018 MLI Fellow. “Many of those in NAMD leadership roles, myself included, are proud MLI alumni. We value both the comprehensive skill development and relationship building fostered through MLI. We look forward to working with this next class of fellows as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of the country's health care delivery system."
During the 10-month-long program, fellows will gain skills in key areas, including fostering delivery system innovation, leading effective multi-sector collaboration, advancing health equity for Medicaid enrollees, engaging key stakeholders, communicating the impact of their programs, and developing leaders of the future. For more information about the Medicaid Leadership Institute, visit www.chcs.org/medicaid-leadership.
ABOUT THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to improving health and health equity in the United States. In partnership with others, we are working to develop a Culture of Health rooted in equity that provides every individual with a fair and just opportunity to thrive, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.
ABOUT CHCS
The Center for Health Care Strategies is a policy design and implementation partner devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. We support partners across sectors and disciplines to make more effective, efficient, and equitable care possible for millions of people across the nation. For more information, visit www.chcs.org.
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DHS To Hold Virtual, In-Person, Town Hall Meetings on Community Integration Plan
In June 2020, the DHS unveiled its multi-year Community Integration Plan. The plan is a result of re-evaluating existing strategies and identifying new ones to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to the least restrictive setting to support high quality of life.
In Year One, the Department engaged with stakeholders to conduct a gap analysis of the current system. Through these stakeholder conversations, the Department heard about five common challenges:
- Workforce
- Training
- Community provider capacity for specialty supports
- Data
- Guardian reluctance
This year the Department will build off the valuable stakeholder feedback heard during Year One and begin moving to transformational work. DHS is starting a new round of stakeholder conversations to share how investments outlined in the Department’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) plan will enhance and strengthen Iowa’s systems of community-based services and supports to both meet our needs today and prepare to meet future needs.
Community Integration Town Hall meetings will be held in person across the state throughout October. There also will be two virtual options. All meetings are open to the public and will include information for providers and members, as well as other interested stakeholders.
Each town hall meeting will have the same format. Department staff will provide an overview of the strategic plan, a status update, talk about what’s ahead, and answer questions. The Department has invited advocates and other organizations to host and share personal stories at each respective town hall meeting.
The town hall meetings, and hosts, are as follows. All meetings will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
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Monday, October 11, 2021: VIRTUAL meeting hosted by the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council.
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JOIN ZOOM MEETING NOW
Meeting ID: 160 888 4166
Passcode: 792520
- Call-in: 551-285-1373
Meeting ID: 160 888 4166
Passcode: 792520
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021: In-person meeting at Polk County River Place, 2309 Euclid Ave., Des Moines; Hosted by Iowa Association of Community Providers.
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Monday, October 18, 2021: In-person meeting at Cedar Rapids Public Library (Beems Auditorium), 450 5th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; Hosted by The ARC of Iowa.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2021: In-person meeting at Iowa Western Community College (Looft Hall), 2700 College Rd., Council Bluffs; Hosted by the Glenwood Resource Center.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021: In-person meeting at Hawkeye Community College - Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center (MLK Jr. Community Hall - Room 303), 120 Jefferson St., Waterloo; Hosted by Money Follows the Person.
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Monday, November 1, 2021: VIRTUAL meeting hosted by Upgrade Medicaid.
Those interested in attending the in-person town hall meeting in their area and/or one of the virtual meetings can register online. Registration is not required but is encouraged to provide Department staff expected attendance.
More information can be found on the DHS website.
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Provider Relief Fund Round Four
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently opened the application period for a fourth round of provider relief funds (PRF). In addition to the PRF, HHS is also accepting applications for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) rural payments. Eligible providers can apply for funds from both of these programs via a single application. Find more information online.
More information and application materials are available online. HHS will host several webinars to provide information and guidance about the funds and the application process. The webinars will occur from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on each of the following days:
- Wednesday, October 13
- Thursday, October 21.
You can register for the webinars online.
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Pharmacy Billing for COVID-19 Testing
Iowa Medicaid is expanding reimbursement for COVID-19 testing and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)/Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for payment for laboratory tests for the detection of SARS-COV-2, or the diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID-19, to include pharmacies. These changes will be effect for the duration of the public health emergency (PHE).
Pharmacies that wish to participate should read Informational Letter 2271-MC-FFS-CVD for more details.
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Iowa Medicaid Welcomes New Hires
Pauline Rutherford - Contract Manager
Tracy Else - Medicaid Policy
Katie McBurney - Contract Manager
Belinda Silvernail - Medicaid Policy
Lisa Burk - Contract Manager
Mike Egan - Contract Manager
Dennis Haney - Contract Manager
Ashley Burris - Secretary
Jason Watson - Medicaid Policy
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Iowa Total Care Provides Grants to Make Provider Facilities More Accessible for People with Disabilities
Demonstrating a commitment to providing equal access to healthcare, Iowa Total Care has partnered with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) to fund 14 providers in Iowa with grants totaling over $168,000 to help make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. The funding is part of Iowa Total Care’s Provider Accessibility Initiative (PAI) designed to support Iowans with disabilities.
“Providing quality care to all members is our top priority, which is why we are pleased to partner with NCIL to award grants to Iowa providers,” said Mitch Wasden, Iowa Total Care’s CEO & Plan President. “We believe this initiative can help bridge the gap, paving the way for better access to healthcare for all Iowans.”
Patrick Peters, CEO, Guthrie County Hospital said “With the generosity of the Iowa Total Care and NCIL Barrier Removal Fund grant, the hospital was able to add automatic doors at the hospital’s cardiac rehab entrance along with the connector door between the hospital’s lobby and emergency department. The addition of automatic doors in these high traffic patient areas truly did remove barriers. It is all part of our effort to improve patient accessibility to the medical services that they need. Thank you to Iowa Total Care for assisting Guthrie County Hospital in striving to accomplish our vision of: Continue to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
The following providers received a grant through this initiative:
- Historic Bluffs Family Practice, Dubuque
- Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center
- Crossroads Behavioral Health Services, Creston
- Heartland Pathways, Inc., Keokuk
- Decatur County Hospital, Leon
- Countryside Medical Clinic, Red Oak
- Plains Area Mental Health Center, Le Mars
- Siouxland Mental Health Services, Sioux City
- CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, Iowa City
- Iowa Family Counseling LLC, Riverside
- Hancock County Health System, Britt
- Greater Sioux Community Health Center, Inc., Sioux Center
- Exemplar Care, West Des Moines
- Nashua Family Chiropractic PC, Nashua
The goal of the PAI is to increase the number of practitioner locations that meet minimum federal and state disability access standards. The initiative also helps foster stronger relationships and dialogue between insurers and providers to improve the patient experience and ultimately streamline the continuum of care.
Providers submitted applications to NCIL explaining their need for more accessible facilities and services. An Iowa Total Care Barrier Removal Fund Committee then selected award recipients based on the impact of the improvements on disability-related network adequacy as well as the number of Iowa Total Care members with disabilities impacted.
For more information about the grants and the provider accessibility initiative, visit: www.ncil.org/provider-accessibility-initiative/.
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Dental Wellness Plan (DWP) and DWP Kids Contacts |
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IA Health Link Success Stories |
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IA Health Link is a managed care program that works to make sure members get the health care they need. Click the image at the right to read IA Health Link success stories. |
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