News Release Listing
Contact: Preston Cody, 360-412-4280,
preston.cody@hca.wa.gov
Contact: Shirley Munkberg, 360-725-1648,
shirley.mukberg@dshs.wa.gov
Contact: Michael Paulson, 360-725-1641,
michael.paulson@dshs.wa.gov
January 03, 2011
Five counties get expanded choices from Medicaid's 2011 managed care plans
OLYMPIA – Medicaid families in five Washington counties will be able to access more managed care options this coming year with the Healthy Options program.
Only two counties -- Jefferson and Skamania -- have no Healthy Option program choices in 2011; however, Medicaid clients in these two counties will still receive services. They are reverting to fee-for-service, a delivery system that gives them the responsibility for finding and using providers who will bill the Medicaid program directly for covered services.
The expanded managed care choices elsewhere are part of the state's renegotiated contracts with the commercial plans that provide Medicaid services.
Statewide, the seven health plans contracting with Medicaid cover 37 Washington counties. The plans are: Asuris Northwest Health, Columbia United Providers, Community Health Plan of Washington, Group Health Cooperative, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (Kaiser Permanente), Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc., and Regence BlueShield.
The five counties with expanded choices are:
King County: Columbia United Providers will start serving clients in many King County ZIP codes -beginning Jan. 1. Other King County plans include Community Health Plan, Group Health and Molina.
Clark and Cowlitz counties: Kaiser Permanente will be a new choice for Healthy Options and Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollees in these two counties. Clark and Cowlitz clients may choose from four plans: Columbia United Providers, Community Health Plan, Kaiser Permanente and Molina Healthcare.
In addition, Medicaid-eligible Basic Health Plus and Maternity program clients in Clark and Cowlitz counties who are also currently enrolled with Kaiser Permanente will have the option of switching to Healthy Options to stay with their Kaiser providers. If those clients do not change to Healthy Options, they will be automatically enrolled with other available Basic Health plan contractors in those two counties.
Pierce County: Columbia United Providers will also start serving clients in many Pierce County ZIP codes starting January 1. Other Pierce County plans include Community Health Plan, Group Health, Molina and Regence Blue Shield.
Pacific County: Community Health Plan will now be available throughout Pacific County. Previously, the plan was only available in a limited number of ZIP codes. Other Pacific County plans include Molina and Regence Blue Shield.
Switching plans
Medicaid clients who want to switch to a different health plan can do it on the Web by visiting https://www.waproviderone.org/ecams/jsp/common/pgCPClientLogin.jsp.
Medicaid encourages clients to use e-mail for questions or to note problems. Options are listed at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/p1contactus/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BACKGROUND:
Jim Stevenson, Medicaid Communications Director, 360-725-1915 (pager: 971-4067)
DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.
