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 Iowa Medicaid Receives National Recognition
The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), a bipartisan, nonprofit, professional organization that represents leaders of state Medicaid agencies across the country and the nation’s territories, recognizes the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) for its national leadership on Medicaid workforce modernization.
Iowa HHS was awarded a 2022 NAMD Spotlight for Innovation award following its critical efforts to implement new and creative ways to support their staff amid hiring shortages and Medicaid member enrollment growth. The annual NAMD Spotlight awards recognize innovations in Medicaid that improve the program for Medicaid members and advance the overarching goals of creating healthier communities.
Iowa HHS developed a “workforce first” mindset that has made them a national model for workforce modernization. Iowa has focused their time and effort on building a high-capacity team within the realities of a small staff and global workforce shortages. Workforce retention is challenged by Iowa employee salary caps and regulations that limit benefits. In July 2021, Iowa started off as a team of only 45 staff managing an increased enrollment of over 200,000 Medicaid members, or an increase of 30 percent.
Over the past year, Iowa has found new and innovative ways to support their small staff in being highly efficient, aligned, motivated, and engaged. In the past year, the team in Iowa developed its inaugural state strategic plan. It encompasses their mission, vision, objectives and values and all the work that the team does on a daily basis is now rooted in this plan. To create lasting partnerships that will ensure improved outcomes for Medicaid members, Iowa has taken steps to actively participate in building sustainable relationships with sister state agencies including child welfare, mental health authority, and the finance authority. They have also worked with their public health partners to develop one maternal health strategic plan that is more actionable through appropriate delineation of expertise, authority, and implementation. Finally, the team has worked to improve partnership with managed care organizations to more effectively leverage managed care flexibility to move the needle on equity and social drivers of health, among other initiatives.
Director Kelly Garcia Celebrates her Third Year with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
November 1 marked my thee-year anniversary with Iowa HHS. Serving in this role has impacted me and my family in so many ways – and I remain humbled to work with this incredible team.
I think it’s important to reflect on all that’s occurred in this last year. I have been working with our Division Directors to highlight significant accomplishments within Iowa HHS, and the response was overwhelming. This incredible team shared more than 130 big accomplishments for health and human services in our state. As I read through these lists, themes emerged. From all areas of the agency, I read about progress with data modernization efforts, improved communication, and collaborative initiatives -- all encompassed by the Guiding Principles we developed and adopted in our alignment process.
Every day, this team is showing up for Iowans and for each other and I’m honored to be part of this team. I look forward to the upcoming year!
Signed,
Kelly Garcia
Director of Iowa HHS
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 Medicaid Members Still Encouraged to Update their Contact Information with Iowa Medicaid and their MCO
As we are still in the Federal Public Health emergency declaration, Iowa Medicaid members should be prepared. Our team encourages them to be proactive and update their contact information with Iowa Medicaid AND their Managed Care Organization (MCO). This allows us to get important updates and notifications to members about their health coverage and ensures that there is no unnecessary lapse in coverage whenever the Public Health Emergency comes to an end.
Iowa Medicaid is actively working on tools and guidance for members, providers and stakeholders concerning the end of the PHE and the Unwind period. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and check your mail - both physical and digital - for updates and where to find the most recent information and guidance.
When the federal PHE comes to an end, many programs and premiums will start returning to normal Medicaid processes. Don't be left behind concerning your healthcare!
To update your information with Iowa Medicaid, please call 877-347-5678.
 Iowa HHS leadership team filling out inspiration cards for the Food Bank of Iowa's Backpack program.
HHS Alignment Update
At the beginning of the month, the HHS Leadership team gathered together at the Iowa State Fairgrounds to hear Director Garcia share her vision for HHS leadership and culture setting for the new agency. The leadership team also had the opportunity to complete a service project together by donating items for the Food Bank of Iowa and making inspiration cards for the Food Bank’s Backpack program. Everyone in attendance received a poster with the HHS Guiding Principles, which you may have already noticed on the wall in a facility or office space near you.
At the end of last week, Director Garcia held three town hall sessions for team members. The slides from the town hall session are on the HHS alignment website.
HHS Combined Website to Launch In November
This month, the legacy DHS and IDPH websites will be combined into one website! The current design still follows the legacy DHS layout, and the main difference is that all the public health resources will now be built in.
This effort is part of a two phased approach. This first phase just brings content from legacy IDPH and DHS together on one site. The next phase will be a complete overhaul based on the end user experience and will include added functionality and enhanced accessibility. More to come!
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Happy Veteran's Day!
Thank you to all our Iowa Medicaid members, providers, partners and staff who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Our team is so proud to work with you all!
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 Diabetes Prevention Program Enrollment Now Open to Members in Boone, Story and Marshall Counties
According to the American Diabetes Association, over 35 percent of the adult population in Iowa has prediabetes—that is every one in three adults. Individuals with prediabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes which is why it has never been more important to help our communities adapt and sustain lifelong healthy habits.
In partnership with Iowa’s MCOs and the Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, HHS is participating in a pilot project to increase access to diabetes prevention services for Medicaid members. In July 2021, our partners began working on the Medicaid Beneficiary Enrollment Project with the intention to enroll 60 Medicaid beneficiaries that reside in Boone, Marshall or Story Counties.
Grant funding to support the free Diabetes Prevention Program for Medicaid beneficiaries runs through July 2023, which means the program can accept participants on a rolling basis. The success of this pilot project will inform the decision-making process to provide covered access for Medicaid beneficiaries throughout our state—and we want YOU to be part of this important health endeavor.
Some of the skills enrollees will learn include:
- How to eat healthily and still enjoy the foods they like most
- Ways to add varied physical activity to their busy schedules
- Ideas and tools to reduce stress
- How to choose health food when dining out
- Solutions if they stray away from their plan
In the second six months of the program, participants will meet monthly for one hour to build on the skills they have learned and maintain their positive changes. They will review key concepts such as setting goals, tracking food and physical activity, staying motivated and overcoming barriers. The second 6 months are essential to help your patients stick with new habits and will also provide them a way to find support within the program’s community using group discussions.
Learn more about the Diabetes Prevention Program here. To sign-up, please call 515-956-2880.
Fee-For-Service Members Can Book New Transportation Service Beginning in December
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) is available to members who need travel reimbursement or a ride to get to their medical appointments. Now, Iowa Medicaid is excited to welcome the MTM as broker in delivering services to the Fee-for-Service (FFS) members beginning on January 1, 2023! FFS members wanting to book MTM NEMT services for appointments occurring after January 1 can do so by accessing our webpage beginning on December 15.
NEMT service Access2Care will continue to serve members enrolled with Amerigroup or Iowa Total Care.
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 Upcoming Provider Trainings
There are a number of Medicaid provider trainings coming up - learn more and sign-up below:
Assistive Technology Introduction with Easterseals Iowa
November 18, 2022 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM
In Person: 401 NE 66th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313 | Registration open
Virtual Training (same date, time, and content) | Registration open
Learn about how to incorporate assistive technology in service provision. This will be perfect for first time direct support professionals or for those who use AT frequently in providing services to others and need to spark some new ideas.
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NEW! Self-Assessments for Home- and Community-Based Providers
November 30, 2022 | 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Virtual Training | Registration open
The annual Provider Self-Assessment will be released soon and is due to be submitted with all supporting documents by December 31, 2022. The self-assessment is required for any provider that is reviewed by the HCBS QIO. These services are listed on the self-assessment form if you need to confirm that this training is applicable to you or your agency.
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NEW! Transition Planning from Hospital Care
December 2, 2022, 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Virtual Training | Registration open
Understand best practices and planning methodologies for serving clients being discharged from hospital care. Learn what to prepare for, how to coordinate care, and why transition planning is crucial to the discharge process.
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Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement for Home and Community Based Providers
December 15, 2022, 11:00AM - 12:30PM
Virtual Training | Registration open
Understand quality assurance and improvement in ways that your agency can design policy and procedure in accordance with rules, regulations, and best practices.
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) not to be Implemented in Iowa until January 2024
On November 2, Iowa Medicaid received approval of the Good Faith Effort Exemption (GFE) application pushing full implementation of EVV for Home Healthcare Services (HHCS) to January 1, 2024. An IL is in the process of completion and the HHS EVV webpage has added this announcement to the recent updates section.
If you have any questions about EVV, contact us here.
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 Send Us Your Feedback on the Recommended Telehealth and HCBS Services After the PHE
On November 7 and November 9, Iowa Medicaid presented proposed Telehealth and HCBS service recommendations to continue and discontinue after the end of the federal PHE. Many of our members and providers gave insight and posed great questions for the Medicaid team to look over.
Iowa Medicaid encourages members, providers and stakeholders provide feedback on the proposed plan and how we can improve it. The feedback for this is requested as soon as possible as the end of the PHE could end as soon as this weekend (November 12-13).
For more information and review proposed telehealth recommendations, view the below links. To provide feedback, email us here.
For additional information and to review proposed HCBS recommendations, view the below links. To provide feedback, email us here.
 Iowa Medicaid's MEME Team Receives Trailblazer Award for Innovative Video
The Iowa Medicaid team is proud to announce that the Medicaid Enterprise Modernization Effort (MEME) team received the Trailblazer award from the Digital Benefits Network (DBN) partnered with the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) for the MEME innovative introductory video. We are so excited and proud to work with such a talented and passionate group of individuals!
Watch the video here.
Recent MEME Update: The MEME team is currently meeting with NASPO ValuePoint Provider Module vendors to identify a provider management solution which would support the first MEME provider outcomes initiative. At the same time, MEME plans to release an integration services RFI in December to inform the future-state integration approach and services needed.
Keep up to date with the MEME project here.
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Managed Care Plan (MCP) Updates |
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 MCOs Assist with Launch of Iowa Stops Hunger Pilot Program
Iowa Stops Hunger is a statewide initiative formed by Business Publications Corporation (BPC) in 2020 to bring awareness and inspire action to combat food insecurity in Iowa. With the support of Presenting Sponsor Hy-Vee and Supporting Sponsor Mom's Meals, Iowa Stops Hunger has explored hunger in Iowa, created ongoing media content and events to discuss food insecurity in Iowa, showcased actions taken by businesses, and connected participants from the business and nonprofit communities across the state.
The dialogue generated throughout 2020 and 2021 sparked interest in further action. A small group led by Hy-Vee, Mom's Meals and HHS, facilitated by BPC, have joined forces in a public/private coalition to reduce food insecurity in Iowa through targeted programming. The Iowa Stops Hunger Coalition will launch a pilot program targeting women between the ages of 21-44 who are food insecure but may not qualify for SNAP, WIC or Free and Reduced Lunch programs. Many of these women are young mothers who are in the workforce at low-wage jobs or who have left the workforce, making this project of particular relevance to Iowa employers.
The pilot project timeline is being finalized by the public/private coalition. Managed Care Medicaid providers Amerigroup Iowa, Iowa Total Care and Molina Healthcare of Iowa will provide outreach and coordination of services with community-based nutrition partners including each of the Iowa area Food Banks. Hy-Vee and Mom's Meals will be providing coordination, food and nutrition education and support. BPC is assisting with Coalition facilitation and communications support. Iowa Medicaid will administer the pilot.
The program includes short-term food insecurity stabilization and resources and longer-term food and nutrition access and education. The pilot will focus on women ages 21-44 in eight Iowa counties who have indicated that they are experiencing food insecurity.
Counties include:
Participating counties were identified by HHS through analysis of screenings which showed a higher-than-average rate of food insecurity for residents. The selected counties represent a statewide cross section of rural and urban populations. An estimated 23,000 individuals are identified as part of the pilot. Specifically targeting moms with kids will help address the systemic challenges families often face.
Iowa Total Care Offers a Doula Program for Pregnant Moms
Iowa Total Care is piloting a new doula program in Polk, Johnson, and Muscatine counties. Partnering with Health ConnectOne (HCOne) and The Doula Network (TDN), the Doula Program aims to provide birthing parents with culturally sensitive doula services to ease the burden of access, address cultural barriers, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
HCOne and TDN provide customized coaching, training, technical assistance, and program development services to doula partners so the doulas can support our communities and families. Doulas will support pregnant ITC members in the three identified counties by providing support they need to have a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birthing experience an support once the baby is born. This includes providing child birth education, meeting with women in their homes, and offering postpartum home visitation and breastfeeding support.
Download the flyer here to learn more.
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Tooth Fairy Tricks
Did you know that people who smoke are seven times more likely to develop gum disease? Gum disease can affect the bone structure that supports your teeth and can lead to tooth loss if it becomes too severe.
To prevent gum disease, make sure to regularly brush your teeth, avoid sugary foods and don't forget to floss!
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November Teen Tips
What we eat can seriously affect our mood, and the reverse is true, too!
How we feel can have a major impact on what foods we crave. If we’re stressed, we may be more likely to reach for high-fat and high-sugar comfort foods that aren’t always the best for our bodies. We all have our struggles, and it’s important to focus on emotional health.
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Get support. See if a co-worker, friend, or family member is also
interested in making healthy changes. Together you can share recipes
and advice.
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Take notes. Consider keeping a food diary or use an app to track your
current eating habits.
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Have fun. Suggest activities with friends that aren’t food-focused.
Maybe a walk through the park or a night of dancing.
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Use add-ons. Add more fruits and vegetables to both your meals and
snacks. Whether it’s a sliced banana on your favorite cereal or a salad
for lunch, it’s all good!
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Make it easy. Keep healthy snacks nearby, like air-popped popcorn or
dry-roasted mixed nuts. Or find a recipe you like and make your own!
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Be patient. Know that changing your eating habits will not happen
overnight. Don’t beat yourself up if you have a “bad” day. This is about
learning new ways to enjoy food and making small changes over time!
Check out other Iowa Total Care Teen Tips and learn more ways to handle your health!
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Success Story: Turning Needs into Solutions
Hospitalization for unmanaged diabetes led to a laundry list of solutions for one ITC member - their diagnosis revealed a medical textbook of health issues. The member’s heart, lungs, joints, spine, liver and eyesight were all at a high risk. The member would need increased Medicaid benefits in order to treat all their needs - luckily, ITC had a solution!
First, the member's ITC case manager provided support for treatment of the member’s diabetes by arranging for and attending appointments with a dietician. The case manager kept the member on track with follow-up checks on diet and blood sugar readings.
Next, the case manager sent Medically Exempt paperwork to the member’s provider to obtain additional Medicaid benefits. As a result of the case manager's efforts, the member qualified for the needed medical benefits, plus eyeglasses coverage, food stamps and other financial assistance.
With the help from ITC, the member's medical conditions are al under control now -- leading to a happier and healthier life!
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Medicaid Events and Updates
Medicaid events and things to know
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to our members, providers, partners and staff! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your families and your loved ones.
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 Registration for the November 2022 Town Halls is now Open
Registration is now open for virtual town hall meetings for Medicaid providers and members for November 2022.
Providers and members can also now sign up for the Iowa Medicaid Town Halls event page on Facebook to receive updates about and links for upcoming Town Halls.
See below for the upcoming virtual town hall schedule. The provider town halls run 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. and the member town halls 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted:
- Thursday, December 1, 2022*
- (TENTATIVE) December 29, 2022
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Thursday, January 27, 2023
- Thursday, February 23, 2023
*The November town hall has been rescheduled to December 1 from its previously listed date.
Other ways to register:
- Providers interested in attending the November session may register online. Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Login credentials for the virtual meeting will be shared via email with those who have registered on the day of the meeting. Credentials will also be posted on the HHS website. Providers, please feel free to share this information with members.
- Members interested in attending the October session may also register online. Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Login credentials for the virtual meeting will be shared with those who have registered on the day of the meeting. Members who need assistance in registering may contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services at 1-800-338-8366.
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Recently Posted Informational Letters
To view any IL, go to the Informational Letters website. You can downlaod and view recently posted ILs below:
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IL 2402-MC-FFS: Iowa Medicaid November Town Halls
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IL 2397-MC-FFS: Additional Guidance for ARPA HCBS Hit&I Grant and Remote Monitoring Grant
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IL 2398-MC-FFS: EVV Implementation Update
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IL 2395-MC-FFS: Date Span Billing for Durable Medical Equipment Rental and Medical Supplies
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IL 2394-MC-FFS: Annual Submission Requirements Regarding Prevention and Detection of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
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IL 2393-MC-FFS: HCBS Unwind Process Virtual Listening Session
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IL 2392-MC-FFS: Telehealth Virtual Listening Session
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 Job Opportunities with Iowa Medicaid
HHS-Iowa Medicaid is seeking applicants for the following positions:
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Follow Iowa Medicaid on Social Media! |
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Iowa Medicaid is on Facebook and Twitter! Follow us for daily updates on your Medicaid coverage.
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