Medicaid
Successful PCCM provider forum last night
Over 30 providers attended the PCCM forum held with DSS at our offices in New Haven last night. We had to get more chairs and make extra copies of the materials. There was a great deal of enthusiasm for the program and most providers suggested that they will be filling out an application. Most providers…
Read MoreGovernor’s deficit mitigation plan includes cuts to medical interpreters
Today the Governor announced her plan to address CT’s looming $268 million state budget deficit. Her plan cuts $1.175 million in previously approved funding for medical interpretation services in the Medicaid program. The CT Health Foundation reports that 22,000 people with limited English proficiency were enrolled in CT’s Medicaid program in 2003 and that communication…
Read MoreHUSKY/Charter Oak update
At today’s Medicaid Managed Care Council, the HUSKY HMOs’ provider panel reports showed that progress continues to be very slow. Sen. Harris pointed out that at this pace, the two new HMOs will take over a year to reach capacity similar to CHN’s panels. In the counties already transitioning to the HMOs, 94% of HUSKY…
Read MorePCCM provider forums scheduled
DSS has scheduled three forums for providers to learn more about PCCM. They are all at 6:30 pm. October 21 CT Health Policy Project offices in the Red Cross Building, 703 Whitney Avenue, New Haven *CANCELLED* October 22 Windham Hospital, 112 Mansfield Avenue, Willimantic October 23 DSS offices, 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford Applications and the…
Read MoreDSS 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 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…
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