Thanks to a generous donation from American Express, UHPP is working with the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH) to create an online and shared database that enrollment assisters and navigators can use to track data on enrollment efforts around the state. This database will be the portal navigators will use to create a “no-wrong-door” network to match consumers with their best insurance options.
When completed, the database will be a valuable tool in enrollment efforts because it will avoid lost paperwork and duplication of effort. For instance, if a consumer starts to apply at “Organization A,” but then moves to another city and then starts another application with “Organization B,” the database will send a pop-up alert to inform the enrollment assistor that the application has already been started. It will also track aggregate data—in compliance with federal privacy and ethical guidelines—which can be used to evaluate successful enrollment practices and to help organizations learn from each other. The data can also be used with policymakers and key stakeholders to make informed decisions on enrollment and outreach.
This database will be made available to partners that complete an online training course which is also in the development stages. Once the trainings are available, UHPP and AUCH will make an announcement and enrollment efforts will be sure to pick up.
On Thursday, May 23rd join UHPP for our third annual spring fundraiser, “How Sweet It Is.” We’ll be hanging out at Hatch Family Chocolates to celebrate an already eventful year—and prepare for the challenges ahead. Come tantalize your senses with chocolate, refreshments, and music. Engage with UHPP staffers, and mingle with other UHPP supporters who care about the future of health care reform in Utah.
-The first 15 people to use the promotional code “winning” will be entered in a raffle for a FABULOUS PRIZE – Purchase your tickets here.
-Come to celebrate Dr. Tom Metcalf’s Legacy of Service to UHPP
-Join us in looking ahead to 2014 (special presentation)
- A special announcement
Eat Chocolate and Support UHPP!
Celebration | Chocolate | Beverages | Silent Auction | Good Cheer
Thursday, May 23, 2013
6:30pm-8:30pm (MDT)
Hatch Family Chocolates
376 8th Avenue, Suite A
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Purchase tickets here!
(map)
Earlier this month the Dept. of Health’s (DOH) Medicaid Division’s public stakeholder process settled on 25 quality-of-care measures to be incorporated in the state’s contracts with SelectHealth, University Health Plan, Molina, and Utah Health Choice effective July 1, 2013.
Federal statute and regulation require that Medicaid managed care plans report on quality measures determined by the state and conduct Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) in pursuit of better outcomes for patients whose care is paid for by Medicaid.
The 25 measures recommended by the public stakeholder group for the balance of 2013 can be found here.
Those measures are subject to final approval by Utah’s Quality Committee.
The more challenging work of the public stakeholder group lies ahead. Specifically, Medicaid Division staff will be meeting with public stakeholders in the weeks and months ahead to develop measures around:
- Integration of behavioral and primary health care (HB57, Rep. Sanpei)
- Special needs populations
- Diversion of patients with non-emergent conditions away from the hospital emergency room and toward less expensive urgent and primary care access points (HB141, Rep. Kennedy).
In addition, public stakeholders have raised additional questions about what will happen with the quality data once it is collected, including:
- The format in which the data are reported to the public. Does it give consumers a useful tool for becoming more engaged and making decisions about their health care?
- How can the data be used to improve health outcomes through collaboration between the Medicaid Division, the contracted health plans, and the community, for example on reporting of performance data at the community level so that hot spots of poorer outcomes can be targeted with necessary resources?
- How can quality measures be designed to help Utah policy makers understand whether or to what extent the new accountable care program is living up to expectations and where it is falling short?
Utah Medicaid’s work on quality measures development is just beginning. If you have expertise around any of the areas mentioned above and want to become involved, email UHPP’s Medicaid Policy Fellow, Jason Cooke, or call him at 801-433-2299, x. 1
Two events designed to raise the level of Utah’s Medicaid expansion discussion will take place this month.
First, on Monday, May 20th UHPP, in cooperation with AARP Utah, will host a roundtable discussion about Medicaid expansion in Utah with special guest Alan Weil. Mr. Weil is the executive director of the Washington, DC-based National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) and a well-known expert on Medicaid policy. His strength is bridging the state and federal gap to find unique state-based solutions to the thorny issues of health reform like Medicaid expansion. Having served as the health policy advisor to Colorado’s Gov. Roy Romer during the early 1990s, Mr. Weil understands the political realities of conservative states like Utah.
Entitled “Finding a Utah Solution for the Medicaid Expansion,” the roundtable discussion will cover the following subject areas:
- Highlighting other states’ approaches to Medicaid and the Medicaid expansion: How does Utah Medicaid fit in?
- Is there a role for charity care as a plausible alternative to meeting the needs of the uninsured?
- Is a partial Medicaid expansion (either by income or health status) an option?
- How can we make the connection to accountable care transformation?
Due to limited space, this roundtable event will be invitation only. Invitees will include health care providers, community health center representatives, consumer advocates, antipoverty organizations, and other stakeholders in the community.
Finding a Utah Solution for the Medicaid Expansion
Roundtable Discussion with Alan Weil (NASHP)
Date: Monday May 20, 2013
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Location: AARP Offices (6975 Union Park Center, Suite 320, Midvale, UT 84047) (map)
Attendance: Invitation only
About this event: Alan Weil is the executive director of the Washington, DC-based National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). Mr. Weil’s strength is bridging the state and federal gap to find unique state-based solutions to the thorny issues of health reform like Medicaid expansion.
Second, on Tuesday, May 21st, UHPP will team up with the Sutherland Institute, a local conservative think tank, to host a panel discussion about Medicaid expansion in Utah. The event will charge a panel of four experts, moderated by KNRS radio personality Rod Arquette, to explore the state’s options to expand Medicaid.
The panelists invited to the roundtable include:
Matthew Slonaker, Medicaid Policy and Collaborations Director for Utah Health Policy Project
Alan Weil, Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy
Dan Liljenquist, former Utah State Senator and sponsor of Utah’s 2011 Medicaid reform bill
Drew Gonshorowski, policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation Center for Data Analysis
Rod Arquette, local radio personality (moderator)
Due to space limitations, the UHPP/Sutherland panel discussion is invitation only. Please note, however, that a video will be available online soon after the event at the Sutherland Institute website—and at UHPP’s YouTube page.
Panel Discussion about Medicaid Expansion
A joint event sponsored by the Utah Health Policy Project and the Sutherland Institute
Date: Tuesday, May 21st
Invites: Invitation only
Note: A video of the event will be available online at the Sutherland Institute website—and at UHPP’s YouTube page.
Dear Navigator:
My worthless brother-in-law says that health insurance is for sissies. And he’s a big, tough guy. I’m 25 years old and in good health. Am I a sissy for wanting health insurance through Obamacare? Or is my brother-in-law as useless as my mom says he is?
Sincerely,
Uninsured and Confused
Dear Uninsured and Confused:
Does your brother-in-law:
1-Ride a motorcycle without a helmet?
2-Go to Moab to play on giant rope swings?
3-Mix his own rocket fuel?
If he does any of those things, then he is right. He doesn’t need health insurance. He just needs a small shoebox to bury his probably unidentifiable remains. You, however, sound like a sensible young man. I bet you even wash your lettuce for three minutes under cold tap water before making a salad. I applaud you for wanting to take greater responsibility by getting insurance. And did you know that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) mandate to purchase insurance has some very manly roots? Yes, even Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) once supported legislation that contained an insurance mandate. So did former Gov. Mitt Romney, who said the “personality responsibility mandate” was “essential for bringing the health care costs down for everyone,” in Massachusetts. So the next time your worthless el chulo brother-in-law tells you that insurance is for wimps, tell him that Orrin and Mitt were once on your side.
You can also tell him that the mandate to purchase insurance does two good things. First, it lets you take control of your own health so you can focus on other priorities. Your brother-in-law can pretend that he’s invincible (until concrete, gravity, or amatol changes his perspective), but accidents and germs don’t ask your permission to ruin your life. ¡Dios mío, no! And I’m not telling this to scare you. I’m a bit older than you (just don’t ask me how old), and I’ve seen more than my share of ruina caused by people and families not having health insurance when they needed it most.
Second, the mandate brings healthy people like you into the insurance marketplace. You see, insurance companies use to stay in business by keeping sick people away by charging them expensive muy caro premiums for coverage. But the ACA makes insurance companies charge sick and healthy people the same amount for insurance. So now insurers must make money by covering more people—including the young and healthy people like you who have never had insurance. So, gracias for wanting to improve your health, and for making insurance available for everyone else. Be sure to tell more of your friends, and remember that you can sign up for coverage on Utah’s new insurance marketplace beginning October 1st.
Been on vacation? Here are the best health reform articles we read in May. To learn about these articles as they are published, “Like” UHPP’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter—where we cover health care news as close to 24/7 as we can.
Editorial: Pretend insurance – Utah sent off to play with its toy
Salt Lake Tribune
May 10, 2013
Feds approve Utah to become first state to use dual-model health insurance marketplace
Salt Lake Tribune
May 9, 2013
Obama Sees Health Care as Legacy Too Worthy to Resist
Bloomberg News
May 8, 2013
How Much Hospitals Charge For the Same Procedures
New York Times
May 8, 2013
Dr. Kitzhaber diagnoses an Oregon Medicaid study
The Oregonian
May 11, 2013
Wonkbook: Everything you need to know about the Oregon Health Study
Washington Post
May 2, 2013
The Oregon Experiment — Effects of Medicaid on Clinical Outcomes
The New England Journal of Medicine
May 2, 2013
President on Obamacare: ‘Still A Big Complicated Piece Of Business’
Kaiser Health News
April 30, 2013
Maryland Offers Glimpse at Obamacare Insurance Math
Kaiser Health News
April 24, 2013
Colleges Are Slashing Adjuncts’ Hours to Skirt New Rules on Health-Insurance Eligibility
The Chronicle of Higher Education
April 22, 2013
May is an action-packed month for Medicaid expansion in Utah—starting with a roundtable discussion featuring national expert Alan Weil on Monday, May 20st, and continuing with a panel discussion on May 21st, and the second Medicaid Expansion Community Workgroup meeting on Thursday, May 23rd.
The month kicked off on May 7th with a presentation by Dennis Smith to the state’s new Medicaid Expansion Community Workgroup (list of members). Smith is a Washington, D.C. consultant and former director of the Center for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) during the George W. Bush administration. The workgroup is tasked with proposing a list of Medicaid options to Gov. Herbert by the end of summer in time for his health summit in September. These options could guide a subsequent Medicaid decision by the governor.
During his talk, Smith encouraged Utah to push the Obama administration for more flexibility in expanding Medicaid. His ideas were generally well received by members of the community workgroup, especially his remarks on the Arkansas model, which uses Medicaid expansion dollars to pay for premiums subsidies to purchase private insurance on the state’s future exchanges. If and how Utah can implement the Arkansas approach will be discussed by the community workgroup this summer. But the workgroup also appears set to debate the effectiveness of Medicaid, especially given last week’s statistically important study about Medicaid in Oregon that critics of the expansion have used to downplay its health impacts. UHPP believes that all pragmatic solutions should be on the table, and that the Arkansas model is worth considering because it offers a feasible way forward for both states and the federal government. For more information, read our report: Flexibility on the Medicaid Expansion: Balancing Independence with Cost Effectiveness.
Subgroups Created
To develop a list of options for Gov. Herbert, the Community Workgroup will divide into six subgroups based around the following topic areas. (Note: Assignments to these subgroups will be announced soon. Depending on interest, some of these workgroups may be combined)
(1) Self-reliance: Returning federal money in favor of a state solution;
(2) Charity-care: Examining methods for enhancing charity care to provide health care to the expansion population;
(3) Block Grants: Revisiting Health Care Compact and block granting of federal Medicaid dollars;
(4) Partial Expansion: Considering partial Medicaid expansion options;
(5) Flexible Expansion: Considering alternatives like the Arkansas model; and
(6) Full Expansion: Implementing full Medicaid expansion.
The subgroups will dig deep into their subject-areas, provide an honest assessment of the practicality and cost of their approaches. Each subgroup will report findings to the full community workgroup. All of the members will then decide which ideas should be sent to Gov. Herbert. Because the community workgroup has no formal authority, the governor can choose not to move forward with any of the suggested options.
Medicaid Expansion Meeting Schedule: May and June
Medicaid Expansion Roundtable Discussion with Alan Weil (NASHP)
Date: Monday May 20, 2013
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Location: AARP (6975 Union Park Center, Suite 320, Midvale, UT 84047) (map)
Attendance: Invitation only
About this event: Alan Weil is the executive director of the Washington, DC-based National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). Mr. Weil’s strength is bridging the state and federal gap to find unique state-based solutions to the thorny issues of health reform like Medicaid expansion.
Medicaid Expansion Community Workgroup
Date: Thursday May 23, 2013
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Location: Capitol Board Room (2nd floor), Utah State Capitol (map)
The public is welcome to attend
Note: Dr. Patton suggested that the Medicaid expansion study be the topic of conversation—if it is ready (fingers-crossed)
Utahns for Medicaid Expansion (U4ME)
Steering Committee: Thursday, May 30th
Time: 3:30pm
Location: UHPP
Note: Limited to members of the U4ME Steering Committee
Utahns for Medicaid Expansion (U4ME)
General Meeting: Tuesday, June 4th
Time: 3:30pm
Location: Catholic Diocese, 27 C Street (Corner of C Street and South Temple) Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
(map)
Note: Open to all members of the U4ME coalition
Health care policy wonks, including UHPP, can get caught up in the excitement of the big moment. Exactly such a moment—three months in the making—occurred last Friday when Gov. Gary Herbert announced that Utah and the federal Dept. of Health and Human Services had finalized an agreement for the state to move forward in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
If you were re-entering Earth’s atmosphere last week and missed the news, these reports from the Salt Lake Tribune, FOX13, Associated Press, Desert News, KUER , and UHPP’s own press release will get you up to speed. The quotes in these articles also showcase the intense and sometimes over-the-top reactions to the decision that the governor, UHPP and others expressed. Now, a week later, it’s time to step back and consider what this decision really means.
Here are five perspectives.
It’s a big deal.
Until now there were only three ways to approach the ACA. Embrace it with a state-run exchange, shake its hand with a partnership exchange, or shun it entirely by opting for a federally-facilitated setup. Last week Utah invented a fourth way—a split system that involves shaking the federal government’s hand while holding one’s nose at the same time. And with only 18 states opting for state-run exchanges, the federal government might consider this approach by Utah—one of the most Republican states in the nation—to be a political victory and a model for other states. Gov. Herbert suggested the same idea during his remarks last week and invited likeminded states to follow Utah’s lead. Of course, Utah entered this agreement with the unique advantage of operating an existing small business exchange. But in future years, other states could adjust their approach to health reform—either opting to take over more exchange responsibilities, or running the whole operation themselves. As a result, Utah’s proposal could become the ACA version of the Arkansas Medicaid expansion model (ie. using federal dollars to purchase private insurance on the ACA exchanges) that is turning the political calculus for that decision upside-down.
It won’t change much.
Utah’s small business exchange, Avenue H, will always be the junior varsity squad of the Affordable Care Act. Maybe even the freshmen team. The real action—where hundreds of thousands of Utahns will purchase insurance coverage—will happen on the individual marketplace run by the federal government. Not only is this because Utah’s individual marketplace (and not Avenue H) will include 1) Medicaid screening, 2) Tax credits to make premiums more affordable, and 3) Navigators trained to help people make the best decisions; but also because that’s what history tells us. In Massachusetts, the only state with a comprehensive health reform effort that pre-dates (and mirrors) the Affordable Care Act, only about 1.7% (4,750) of the state’s uninsured residents purchased coverage on the small business exchange by December 2012—five years of after reform began. By that measure, Avenue H’s 8,035 covered lives in May 2013 already doubles the tally that the Massachusetts accomplished. If the Romneycare model holds true, Utah can sustain Avenue H, but the state’s real health reform is going to happen elsewhere.
It rescued Avenue H.
Avenue H, the state’s small business insurance exchange in operation since 2009 (or 2011 if count from the re-launch), exists in two worlds. According to the state officials, it’s a Utah-born, free-market success story that is saving Utah small businesses like World Class Auto in American Fork, UT from skyrocketing health care costs. To its critics, Avenue H is a worthwhile but disappointing experiment that has made no change to Utah’s small business insurance market while violating some of its guiding principles (ie. massaging rates to be more favorable to companies). Principles can be debated, but numbers are real data points. In June 2012, Avenue H (then known as the Utah Health Exchange) had 283 groups enrolled. This month the exchange has 334 groups, which computes to a compound monthly growth rate of 1.79%. At this rate, it will take Avenue H another 21 years—until 2034—to cover half of Utah’s 67,000 small businesses. Fortunately, in 2014 along comes the ACA with its focus on expanding coverage and its individual mandate to purchase insurance or pay a tax penalty. Suddenly, more people—including small business owners—are going to be seeking health insurance. As a result, Avenue H’s monthly growth rate might rise (along with its crucial application conversion and renewal rates) because of the Obamacare surge. If that happens, just don’t mention it too loud.
It will muddle enrollment.
Every other state will have either a state or federal agency directing the effort to help people find and purchase health insurance on the ACA exchanges. In Utah, there will be two—Avenue H, plus the federal marketing effort administrated by the HHS regional office in Denver. And chances are—like competing businesses on the same block—Utah and the feds aren’t going to coordinate their messages, or talk about what the other guy is selling. It could be a mess. It’s possible that the role of sorting out the right message for the right audience could revert to policy shops like UHPP.
It’s not going to last.
Remember when Utah was going to operate a completely state-based exchange? That idea didn’t survive very long at the Utah Capitol. Despite the euphoria of last week’s announcement, Gov. Herbert still needs to push his plan through the Utah Legislature, which has never embraced the Affordable Care Act, and has recently shown ambivalence towards Avenue H’s lack of results. Plus, Gov. Herbert might face legislative challenges not only in future general sessions, but also in his next race for governor. Just because Gov. Herbert reached an agreement with an HHS team eager to sign up another state-run exchange doesn’t mean that Utah lawmakers will go along for the ride.
Executive Appropriations Committee
(Legislative leadership)
Tuesday, May 14, 1:00 PM
Location: Room 445 State Capitol (map)
Senator Lyle Hillyard, Senate Chair
Representative Mel Brown, House Chair
Agenda Hot Spots: 5-Year Budget Projections, in-depth budget review
Why this committee is important: Since Medicaid takes up such a significant portion of the state budget pie, any in-depth look at the budget and priority setting could significantly impact our ability to pay for or sustain worthy Medicaid investments.
Health and Human Services Interim Committee
Wednesday, May 15, 9:00 AM
Location: Room 20 House Bldg (map)
Agenda Hot Spots: Community Health Worker Concept for Legislation, Long-Term Care Insurance
Health System Reform Task Force (first meeting of interim session)
Thursday, May 16, 9:00 AM
Location: 30 House Building (map)
Senator Allen M. Christensen, Senate Chair
Representative James A. Dunnigan, House Chair
Agenda Hot Spots: Overview of Utah and Federal Health Reform, ACA Implementation.
Real Exchange Utah (RxUtah)
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time: 12:45pm-2:15pm
Location: United Way of Salt Lake (257 East 200 South, Suite #300)
-Update on Utah exchange decision
- Interactive workshop on ACA outreach and training (all are invited)
ACA Outreach & Presentation Training
At the next RXUtah meeting
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time: 12:45pm-2:15pm
Location: United Way of Salt Lake (257 East 200 South, Suite #300)
-Interactive workshop on ACA outreach and training
Medicaid Expansion Roundtable Discussion with Alan Weil (NASHP)
Date: Monday, May 20th 2013
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Location: AARP Offices (6975 Union Park Center, Suite 320, Midvale, UT 84047) (map)
Attendance: Invitation only
About this event: Alan Weil is the executive director of the Washington, DC-based National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). Mr. Weil’s strength is bridging the state and federal gap to find unique state-based solutions to the thorny issues of health reform like Medicaid expansion.
Panel Discussion about Medicaid Expansion
A joint event sponsored by the Utah Health Policy Project and the Sutherland Institute
Date: Tuesday, May 21st
Invites: Invitation only
Note: A video of the event will be available online at the Sutherland Institute website—and at UHPP’s YouTube page.
Medicaid Expansion Community Workgroup
Date: Thursday May 23, 2013
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Location: Capitol Board Room (2nd floor), Utah State Capitol (map)
Note: The long-delayed Medicaid expansion study may be unveiled at this meeting—if it is ready (fingers-crossed)
How Sweet It Is!
UHPP’s Spring Fundraiser
Date: Thursday May 23, 2013
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Hatch Family Chocolates
376 8th Avenue, Suite A
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Purchase tickets here: How Sweet It Is!
-Come to celebrate Dr. Tom Metcalf’s Legacy of Service to UHPP
-Looking Ahead to 2014
-A Special Announcement
Utahns for Medicaid Expansion (U4ME)
Steering Committee: Thursday, May 30th
Time: 3:30pm
Location: UHPP
Note: Limited to members of the U4ME Steering Committee
Utahns for Medicaid Expansion (U4ME)
General Meeting: Tuesday, June 4th
Time: 3:30pm
Location: Catholic Diocese, 27 C Street (Corner of C Street and South Temple) Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
(map)
Note: Open to all members of the U4ME coalition
Consumers Union ACA Outreach and Education Event
Date: June 2013
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Utah Legislative Interim Schedule (2013)
Download a PDF version of the interim schedule
Note: That legislature’s interim session meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month, with the Executive Appropriations Committee (comprised of legislative leadership of both parties) meeting the day before at 1:00 pm. The interim session is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate relationships with your elected representatives.
Health System Reform Task Force
Senator Allen M. Christensen, Senate Chair
Representative James A. Dunnigan, House Chair
May
Thursday, May 16, 9:00 AM
Location: 30 House Building (map)
June
Thursday, June 20, 9:00 AM
Location: 30 House Building (map)
July
Thursday, July 18, 9:00 AM
Location: 30 House Building (map)
August
Thursday, August 22, 9:00 AM
Location: 30 House Building (map)
——————————
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
1pm
- Executive Appropriations
Wednesday May 15, 2013
9am-12pm
-Health and Human Services
Note: UHPP is presenting on Community Health Worker legislation with sponsor Sen. Luz Robles (D-Salt Lake)
-Business and Labor
Wednesday June 19, 2013
9am-12pm
-Health and Human Services
-Business and Labor
Wednesday July 17, 2013
9am-12pm
-Health and Human Services
-Business and Labor
Wednesday Sept. 18, 2013
9am-12pm
-Health and Human Services
-Business and Labor
Don’t look now, but earlier this year Utah’s Medicaid program embarked on the most far-reaching makeover in care delivery since the state experimented with managed care nearly two decades ago.
If you are asking yourself “Where was I when all this was happening?” the answer is simple. You’ve been hearing us talk about accountable care for the past two years and counting. Yes, “accountable care” is the momentous change at hand.
To move the Medicaid reform conversation in Utah from the theoretical to the practical, UHPP’s Health Matters is beginning a new series exploring Utah’s current Medicaid transformation. We will keep you up-to-date on the various collaborations between health care providers, the state, consumer advocacy organizations, and Utah’s health care centers of excellence. All of these groups are working on critical aspects of Medicaid reform, including:
- Quality measurement and improvement;
- Innovations in the way providers are paid that put the emphasis where it should be – on making and keeping patients well;
- Creating a Utah medical home model for the delivery of primary care services not only in Medicaid but across the state’s health care systems; and
- Neighborhood-based campaigns that engage parents, schools, and other community resources in making sure that all children have insurance they can use to stay healthy through either public programs like Medicaid and CHIP or private insurance.
In this series you will read about real Utahns who already have benefited from these and other Utah innovations in health care. We will also learn from health care professionals who are incorporating those innovations in their clinical practices.
Finally, Health Matters will be your resource for best practices from in other states that have limited growth in Medicaid costs and improved health outcomes.
Next Month in Health Matters: Looking for Quality in All the Right Places?
On April 3rd the Utah Department of Health launched a public process to identify quality measures for inclusion in the health plan contracts for the Wasatch Front. They also called for longer-term strategies for gauging the success of the Medicaid system transformation. DOH has set up a webpage—to distribute presentations, data, and other documentation used in the public process. Check in out!
In the May issue, Health Matters will report on the work being undertaken by the Department and outside stakeholders in the public process and explore in greater detail the challenges of measuring quality in both the current and the transformed Utah Medicaid system.
In the meantime, if you have a story you would like to share about your experience of care under Medicaid, whether positive or negative, please send email to Jason Cooke, at jason@healthpolicyproject.org.
0
Comments