Health News
Though there have been plenty of bumps in the state's move to managed care for 820,000 Kentuckians on Medicaid, Health and Family Services Cabinet Secretary Audrey Haynes told lawmakers Wednesday it has saved the state $190 million in just six months.
Payments have cost $190 million less than if the state had not contracted with three managed-care organizations, reports Nick Storm for cn|2's "Pure Politics." The companies are paid on a per-month, per-patient basis, considered less expensive than the fee-for-service model.
Haynes, who replaced Janie Miller in the spring, said her immediate goals for the cabinet are implementing the state's prescription drug monitoring system within the cabinet; hiring additional social workers; and continuing to smooth the bumps caused by managed care. Overall, she said she wants to improve transparency within the cabinet; improve coordination between departments; and shore up service gaps, especially within managed care.
Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, asked Haynes about concerns she has over management in the Louisville office of the Department for Community Based Services, but Haynes said she could not comment on an ongoing investigation. (Read more)
- Haynes Asks Hospitals For A Truce As They And State Work Through Problems With Managed-care Medicaid
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- Cabinet Must 'wield The Stick' To Get Managed Care Under Control, State Auditor Says
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- Miller Steps Down As Secretary Of Embattled State Cabinet For Health And Family Services
The head of the much-beleaguered Cabinet for Health and Family Services has resigned. One of the first appointments of Gov. Steve Beshear, Secretary Janie Miller will step down Feb. 29 after four years in office. Under her leadership, Miller has been...
- Medicaid's Move To Managed Care Delayed Until Nov. 1; Hospitals Need More Time To Sign Contracts
The move to managed care, which the state has touted as the answer to improve the quality of its Medicaid system and solve a budget deficit, has been delayed by a month in response to the Kentucky Hospital Association saying hospitals need more time to...
- Move To Managed Care On Track For Oct. 1, Secretary Says
Despite a recent request to delay by an advisory council, and a low number of signups by hospitals so far, the move to managed care for Kentucky's Medicaid patients should be completed by Oct. 1. "We are prepared to proceed with an Oct. 1 timeframe,"...
Health News
Despite problems, managed care saved state $190 million in six months, official says
Though there have been plenty of bumps in the state's move to managed care for 820,000 Kentuckians on Medicaid, Health and Family Services Cabinet Secretary Audrey Haynes told lawmakers Wednesday it has saved the state $190 million in just six months.
Payments have cost $190 million less than if the state had not contracted with three managed-care organizations, reports Nick Storm for cn|2's "Pure Politics." The companies are paid on a per-month, per-patient basis, considered less expensive than the fee-for-service model.
Haynes, who replaced Janie Miller in the spring, said her immediate goals for the cabinet are implementing the state's prescription drug monitoring system within the cabinet; hiring additional social workers; and continuing to smooth the bumps caused by managed care. Overall, she said she wants to improve transparency within the cabinet; improve coordination between departments; and shore up service gaps, especially within managed care.
Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, asked Haynes about concerns she has over management in the Louisville office of the Department for Community Based Services, but Haynes said she could not comment on an ongoing investigation. (Read more)
- Haynes Asks Hospitals For A Truce As They And State Work Through Problems With Managed-care Medicaid
Health and Family Services Secretary Audrey Haynes won a smattering of applause from Kentucky hospital officials Thursday as she called for "not a surrender, but a truce" as her cabinet continues to address the hospitals' complaints about the state's...
- Cabinet Must 'wield The Stick' To Get Managed Care Under Control, State Auditor Says
Though the state has a solid contract "filled with all the mechanisms you need for enforcement, from the carrots to the sticks," the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has to be more aggressive in cracking down on the managed care organizations (MCOs)...
- Miller Steps Down As Secretary Of Embattled State Cabinet For Health And Family Services
The head of the much-beleaguered Cabinet for Health and Family Services has resigned. One of the first appointments of Gov. Steve Beshear, Secretary Janie Miller will step down Feb. 29 after four years in office. Under her leadership, Miller has been...
- Medicaid's Move To Managed Care Delayed Until Nov. 1; Hospitals Need More Time To Sign Contracts
The move to managed care, which the state has touted as the answer to improve the quality of its Medicaid system and solve a budget deficit, has been delayed by a month in response to the Kentucky Hospital Association saying hospitals need more time to...
- Move To Managed Care On Track For Oct. 1, Secretary Says
Despite a recent request to delay by an advisory council, and a low number of signups by hospitals so far, the move to managed care for Kentucky's Medicaid patients should be completed by Oct. 1. "We are prepared to proceed with an Oct. 1 timeframe,"...