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Iowa Medicaid Newsletter 

June 30, 2026

Join Us for Our Monthly Town Halls

Town Halls are virtual meetings where Medicaid members and providers can learn about Iowa Medicaid programs, receive updates, ask questions, and share feedback directly with the Iowa Medicaid team. These sessions also provide an opportunity for Iowa Medicaid to hear concerns and work together on solutions.

Iowa Medicaid Updates

Iowa Medicaid Announces New Core Standardized Assessment (CSA) Vendor

CareStar has been awarded the new Core Standardized Assessment (CSA) contract with Iowa Medicaid and will assume responsibility for scheduling and conducting assessments beginning this summer.

Effective July 1, 2026, CareStar will begin completing all assessments. Questions regarding the CSA transition may be directed to:

Traci McCaughey, Contract Manager | traci.mccaughey@hhs.iowa.gov 

CareStar Contact Information: 
Phone: 1-833-939-6121
Email: IowaAssessments@carestar.com

Iowa Medicaid Launches Provider Revalidation Initiative 

The State of Iowa is working to protect taxpayer money by preventing fraud, waste, and misuse in the Medicaid program.

To help do this, Iowa Medicaid is checking that all Medicaid providers still meet the rules to stay in the program. This process is called provider revalidation. The plan was created after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) asked states to strengthen their efforts to prevent fraud and improve program safety.

The statewide revalidation process will happen in two phases from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Instead of asking every provider to revalidate at the same time, Iowa Medicaid will send notices in smaller groups.

High-risk providers will receive notices first, followed by providers who are already overdue, and then all remaining providers.

Each group will have about 30 days to complete the process before the next group receives a notice.

Throughout the project, Iowa Medicaid will track its progress using clear measurements to make sure the work stays on schedule and meets federal requirements. Some of this information may also be shared with the public through online dashboards.

Healthy Hometowns - Iowa's Rural Health Transformation Plan

Governor Reynolds and Iowa HHS Announce Graduate Medical Education Approval, New Healthy Hometowns Awardees, and Interactive Public Dashboards In June 2026, Governor Reynolds and Iowa HHS announced several initiatives to strengthen health care across the state, including federal approval of an expansion to Iowa's Graduate Medical Education program, additional Healthy Hometowns awards, and new interactive public dashboards. The Graduate Medical Education expansion will bring nearly $49.5 million in annual federal funding to support physician residency programs at Iowa's 13 teaching hospitals, helping train more than 128 additional physicians and improve access to care—especially in rural communities. Iowa HHS also announced new Healthy Hometowns awards to support cancer care, workforce recruitment, and medical equipment for rural health care providers. In addition, new public dashboards are now available to help Iowans track Healthy Hometowns investments and see how funding is improving health care access across the state.

HOME Project Updates

The HOME Project website gets a new look!

We heard your feedback: you want regular updates about HOME and an easy place to find them. In response, Iowa HHS recently refreshed the HOME website with a new look and a simpler layout. These changes will make it easier to find important information, stay up to date on HOME progress, and access new HOME resources as they become available. 

HOMEWork

For more information about the HOME project, please visit the new HOME Project website.

Managed Care Plan Updates

Iowa Total Care

Iowa Total Care Supports Fresh Food in Rural Communities Through Food Bank of Iowa Partnership Iowa Total Care is thrilled to partner with the Food Bank of Iowa through a $50,000 donation to launch the Park It Pantry program. The Park It Pantry program is an all-in-one mobile food pantry. The pantry carries nutritious food and resources in a large truck, and travels to rural communities throughout Iowa, where access to nutritious food is often challenging. Updated Provider Manual & Member Handbook: Now Live! Both the Provider Manual and Member Handbook completed updates this last quarter, and are live on our provider and member-facing webpages. Central Iowa Shelter & Services Partnership: Empowerment Command Centers  Check out our video on our partnership and how we are trying to making housing more accessible and safe for Iowans.  Join Us For Our Green to Go Community Health Fairs This Summer!  Iowa Total Care is hosting two Community Health Fairs. At the fairs, we offer free, fresh produce and other helpful resources. This year’s fairs are hosted on: August 6 in Sioux City, Iowa August 23 in Des Moines, Iowa Interested in learning more? Follow along with us throughout our events this year by reading our quarterly newsletters for members and providers. We have lots coming up! We are on social media, too! Follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to stay up to date on our latest community impacts.

Molina Healthcare

Meet Molina Tour

Molina’s Meet Molina Tour brings support and connections to local neighborhoods. With 86 events held statewide, the team has connected with over 600 residents, offering real‑time help and meaningful conversations with members, providers, and community partners.

Partner with Molina

At Molina, we share your commitment to building a healthier community and we serve the same people you care about. With experience in community events and engagement initiatives, we can help strengthen the services you offer and inspire deeper participation. Let’s partner to make an even greater impact together.

Email: MHI_IA_Events@MolinaHealthcare.com 

LTSS Stakeholder Meeting

Our Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB) is an opportunity for collaboration between providers, members, members' representatives and health plan staff. Through the SAB, members and providers can share thoughts and ideas to improve the way the health plan works. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 5th at 5:00 P.M.

Interested in joining the Molina Healthcare of Iowa Stakeholder Advisory Board? If so, please email IowaMemberServices@MolinaHealthCare.com.

PT/OT/ST Prior Authorization Change July 1, 2026

Effective July 1, 2026, all Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy (PT/OT/ST) will require a Prior Authorization (PA) after 6 visits per rolling year. Providers should utilize the Availity Essentials Provider Portal for PA electronic submission for faster turnaround time. For any general provider inquiries, please contact the Provider Services Contact Center at (844) 236-1464, or email our Provider Relations Team at IAProviderRelations@MolinaHealthcare.com.

End of March Vision Partnership: VSP Go Live July 1, 2026

Effective July 1, 2026, VSP^® will provide Medicaid vision benefits to Molina Healthcare of Iowa members. Vision providers will receive a communication from VSP for further steps required. Providers can find more resources after go live by visiting eyefinity.com. If you have any questions about your participation in the Medicaid network as a Vision provider, please contact VSP Provider Network Development at providernetworkdevelopment@vsp.com. For any general provider inquiries, providers can reach out to their Molina Provider Relations Representative.

Model of Care (MOC) Provider Training

Molina is required to provide training regarding our Model of Care program for SNP enrollees. The MOC is the foundation for Molina’s care management policy, procedures, and operational systems for our SNP population. To ensure that Molina remains compliant with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) regulatory requirements for MOC training, receipt of a completed Attestation Form is due end of July. Please read our provider bulletin for all the details on how to complete the training, and turn in the attestation form:

Model of Care (MOC) Q1 Provider Bulletin

Wellpoint

Wellpoint is celebrating 10 years of serving Medicaid members in Iowa this year! Read the press release to learn more about what Wellpoint is doing to celebrate.

Supporting babies and pregnant moms at EveryStep’s Baby Bloom event

On March 28, Wellpoint was the premier sponsor for EveryStep’s annual Baby Bloom event. Baby Bloom is a resource fair and community-building event for pregnant and one-year postpartum families designed to raise awareness, provide education, and support healthy pregnancies and babies. One of Wellpoint’s medical directors and maternal case managers were present to speak with attendees. Wellpoint also sponsored and staffed a photo booth, providing a fun memento for moms, kids, and families.

Wellpoint holds its 2nd annual Day of Play Event 

On April 24, Wellpoint hosted its second annual Day of Play in Linn County, welcoming more than 300 people to strengthen child-parent connection through play while removing barriers to resources. Attendees received free dental screenings, health insurance application help, and education from 12 local organizations on family-focused topics. Additionally, more than 160 children received public pool passes. This event is more than just a fun community gathering – it’s a true wraparound wellness event.

Bringing faster, more reliable technology to Waterloo afterschool program

Wellpoint sponsored a technology upgrade for The Salvation Army of Waterloo’s Youth Center, an afterschool program that serves 250 kids. After seeing how the existing computers weren’t keeping up with kids’ homework needs, Wellpoint donated a computer cart and six Chromebook laptops. This support means more completed homework assignments and more time for kids to be kids!

Wellpoint partners with on Mind and Body pregnancy event with CHC and WIC

Wellpoint sponsored an intimate gathering for pregnant moms and couples in conjunction with Community Health Care Inc. and Scott County WIC. Attendees played interactive games to learn about healthy feeding, safe sleep, and how to safely bathe their baby. Attendees were able to enter a raffle for a free portable crib and baby bath. Wellpoint shared information about its value-added benefits for moms and babies and OB case management services, as well as provided complimentary Calm kits and refreshments to attendees.

Delta Dental of Iowa

Supporting Special Olympics Iowa

Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation recently awarded a $6,000 grant to Special Olympics Iowa to support the Healthy Athletes program at the 2026 Summer Games in Ames. Athletes were encouraged to complete wellness activities—including dental screenings and movement exercises—with the opportunity to earn a cooler as an incentive. Delta Dental’s care coordination team was on-site, connecting members to follow-up dental services and distributing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to support ongoing oral health.

DentaQuest

DentaQuest Enters Iowa Market with Expanded Dental Coverage

Supporting members, providers,  and healthier communities

As of July 1, 2026, Iowa Medicaid and Hawki members have a new choice for dental benefits as DentaQuest begins serving Iowa members statewide.

For more than 30 years, DentaQuest has partnered with states to improve oral health by connecting members to quality dental care while supporting providers, community organizations, and state agencies. We are excited to bring that experience to Iowa and look forward to building strong partnerships that improve access to care and oral health outcomes.

Our commitment to Iowa began well before our official launch. Recently, DentaQuest contributed $30,000 to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics to support its Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry Program. This investment helps prepare future dental specialists to care for older adults and individuals with special health care needs while expanding access to care for underserved populations.

DentaQuest has also supported Iowa community organizations, including the Iowa Dental Association's Mission of Mercy event, providing free medical and dental care to residents. We look forward to working with Iowa providers, community partners, and state leaders to improve oral health across the state.

With a strong foundation already in place, DentaQuest looks forward to serving Iowa Medicaid and Hawki members and helping more people access quality oral health care.