HUSKY
DSS asks CMS for a HUSKY delay
The administration has asked the federal government for a four month delay for moving HUSKY families into the new HMOs. DSS and the two new HMOs, AmeriChoice (United Health Care) and Aetna Better Health, have been criticized for having inadequate provider networks and for not devoting enough time to building those networks. The third HMO…
Read MoreLegislature and Comptroller announce audit of DSS
Legislative leaders and Comptroller Nancy Wyman announced today that the Comptroller’s office will conduct an audit of DSS to eliminate waste and over-budgeting. Specific concerns include difficulties tracking expenses, over $100 million in DSS carry-forward requests, turmoil in the HUSKY program, start up costs of the Charter Oak Health Plan, and funds appropriated for programs…
Read MorePCCM public hearing and RFA out
The Appropriations and Human Services Committees held a public hearing today on DSS’ proposal for a PCCM pilot for HUSKY. Over thirty legislators came to hear Commissioner Mike Starkowski and Director of Medical Administration David Parrella outline their plans for the program. Legislators universally expressed enthusiasm for the plan and commended DSS for faithfully implementing…
Read MoreDSS answers Medicaid Managed Care Council on HUSKY and Charter Oak costs
Yesterday’s Medicaid Managed Care Council was standing room only for what is generally a dry actuarial discussion about rate setting. Questions from legislators and advocates were pointed but answers were fuzzy. First, representatives from Shramm and Raleigh, DSS’ no-bid financial contractors, described how Charter Oak’s costs and benefit package were arrived at. The original bids…
Read MoreBehavioral Health Partnership/HUSKY update
At Wednesday’s BHP Oversight Council meeting, DSS reported HUSKY MCO enrollment numbers in Middlesex County, the first to go “on-line” back to managed care plans. Voluntary enrollment in the MCOs started Sept. 1st; at the end of November it will be mandatory. Of Blue Care members, 170 (41%) chose Aetna Better Health, 28 chose AmeriChoice…
Read MorePCCM hearing date set
The mandated public hearing on DSS’ Primary Care Case Management proposal has been set. The hearing of the Human Services and Appropriations Committees will be September 25th at 11am at the Legislative Office Building. If you cannot come and would like to submit comments, the Chairs of the Committees are Representative Peter Villano, Senator Jonathan…
Read MorePCCM concept paper out
The concept paper for the state’s planned PCCM pilot has finally been delivered to the legislature. The Appropriations and Human Services Committees now have 30 days to hold a public hearing and approve, deny or make changes to the plan. PCCM is a way of running HUSKY without HMOs and will serve as another option…
Read MoreDrama at the Medicaid Managed Care Council
Yesterday, the Council passed a resolution to recommend a delay in transitioning HUSKY families into the new HMOs and to freeze enrollment in Charter Oak until July 1st, 2009. The council was concerned that only a handful of providers have signed up with the two new plans, AmeriChoice and Aetna Better Health, and that patients…
Read MoreCharter Oak/HUSKY troubles in the news
The current problems getting providers to participate in the new Charter Oak/HUSKY plans have been hot news lately. A sampling: The Day ctnewsjunkie.com Hartford Courant Journal Inquirer New Haven Register Waterbury Republican American Kaiser Daily Health Reports Medical News Today CT Post WTIC News Talk 1080 Fox News 61 News Channel 3 Norwich Bulletin According…
Read MoreCharter Oak/HUSKY/PCCM update
DSS Comm. Mike Starkowski met with the Appropriations and Human Service Committees yesterday delivering a 72 page program update. The big news (from our perspective) is that the PCCM concept paper, drafted by a working group of DSS staff and advocates (including the CT Health Policy Project), will be submitted to the legislature next week.…
Read More