D S S P R E S S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release:
January 8, 2008
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
DSS Releases MO HealthNet Progress Report
Jefferson City – Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Director Deborah Scott announced today that great strides have been made in implementing the MO HealthNet program and improving the lives of its participants. MO HealthNet was signed into law on July 2, 2007 replacing the state’s old Medicaid program.
“MO HealthNet is a transformational approach that emphasizes wellness, prevention and coordinated care instead of simply paying for services,” Scott said. “The program has come a long way in a short time, and participants are already experiencing positive benefits.”
Implementing MO HealthNet has meant the addition of many programs and services for new and existing participants including the following:
- Coverage for Foster Care Youth Ages 18-21: Provides full health care coverage to youth aging out of the foster care system. Coverage began as of July 2007. Over 1,000 children were immediately eligible.
- MO HealthNet for Kids: Affordability tests for the health care program for children were changed allowing more children to qualify for the program. The change was implemented in July 2007. The Department estimates that an additional 6,349 children are eligible to participate in MO HealthNet for Kids as a result of this change.
- Ticket to Work: The Ticket to Work Program allows disabled Missourians to maintain part time employment without the risk of losing health care benefits. The program was implemented in September 2007; 198 individuals were enrolled as of November 30, 2007.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME): This program extends medically necessary durable medical equipment benefits to MO HealthNet adults on the basis of best medical evidence, care and treatment guidelines through an electronic authorization system. Use of the electronic pre-certification tool for DME began in July 2007, and since that time, requests for 1,682 DME items have been approved electronically.
- Chronic Care Improvement Program (CCIP): Individuals with chronic illnesses are being identified and given the opportunity to enroll in CCIP. The program uses contracted health care coordinators to provide participants with education about their illness, identify a health care home and develop personalized health plans to manage their conditions and improve their quality of life. As of December 2007, 109,000 participants have enrolled in CCIP. By state fiscal year 2008, MHD aims to have enrolled 130,000 of the most chronically ill MO HealthNet participants.
- Health Risk Assessments: Health risk assessments have been implemented for members of the CCIP population. These assessments provide the participant, their health care coordinator and their physician with current health information. The information is then used to create an individualized plan of care for the participant. The assessments are currently being completed for each CCIP participant and will be implemented for additional participants during 2008.
- Managed Care: Agreements have been reached to expand managed care to 17 additional counties covering 36,000 additional MO HealthNet participants. Managed care provides participants with the opportunity to have a health care home and benefit from coordinated care. Currently, managed care covers counties along the I-70 corridor. Participants in the additional 17 counties began enrollment in their health plan on January 1, 2008.
- Technology: Technology is a major component of the MO HealthNet program. MHD continues to expand the number of providers trained and using a new electronic system of health records. The system assists MO HealthNet providers in treating participants by making information readily available to physicians that facilitates the provision of timely and accurate services based on current and past treatment. The system also makes best practice information accessible and helps prevent the duplication of tests, medications and other services. And, the system provides for real time, electronic prescribing and prior authorization for both medications and durable medical equipment improving the accuracy, access and speed of authorizations. Electronic prior authorization for durable medical equipment is being phased in, with the most expensive and highest volume items currently being operational, i.e., computerized imaging, breathing devices, etc.
- Women’s Health Package: Gov. Blunt has announced he is recommending nearly $2.5 million general revenue in his 2009 budget and $200,000 in the supplemental budget to launch the women’s health services program for over 80,000 Missouri women. This program will provide both women’s health services and increased access to life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings.
- Physician Rate Increase: Gov. Blunt has announced his recommendation for a rate increase for MO HealthNet physician related services. The governor is calling for $52.8 million to increase MO HealthNet rates from a minimum of 55% of Medicare rates to a minimum of 65% of Medicare.
"I am very pleased with the progress we have made since Gov. Blunt signed the MO HealthNet law in July 2007", said MO HealthNet Division Director Dr. Ian McCaslin. "We plan to continue working hard to improve the state's health care system for Missouri's citizens and expect another productive year in 2008.”
