March 2018

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DCH's New Assistant Chief of Performance, Quality and Outcomes

Dr. Kelvin J. Holloway, M.D., joined the Department of Community Health (DCH) on February 16, 2018 as the new Assistant Chief of Performance, Quality and Outcomes within the Division of Medical Assistance Plans. Dr. Holloway is an executive in the medical industry, and has an extensive leadership background with organizations such as Grady Health System and the Morehouse School of Medicine.
 
In his new role at DCH, Dr. Holloway will provide leadership in ensuring that the agency remains
laser-focused on quality of care and outcomes that the citizens of Georgia expect and deserve. His clinical background and experience as a leader in this arena makes him a perfect fit for this critical position.
 
Dr. Holloway is a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine, and has been practicing pediatric medicine for more than 40 years. 
 
The DCH team is excited to have Dr. Holloway here as a new member of the Medicaid leadership team, and we look forward to working alongside him in continuing the DCH mission of providing Georgians with access to affordable, quality health care through the Medicaid program.
Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® Puts Provider Administrative Simplification at the Forefront

To support the Georgia Department of Community Health's (DCH) core values (communication, customer service and teamwork), the Medicaid Division has launched a Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® administrative simplification work group . The work group, which is being led by Deputy Commissioner   Kate Pfirman and co-chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Medicaid Chief Blake Fulenwider, was formed as a result of the ongoing communication facilitated during the Commissioner-led Quarterly Care Management Organization (CMO) Communication meeting. The work group is representative of a broad spectrum of providers and healthcare stakeholders. In partnership with the executive leadership of Georgia's four Care Management Organization (CMO) leadership teams, Amerigroup, CareSource, Peach State Health Plan and WellCare, the work group is focused on identify ing strategies that simplify processes and reduce the administrative burden associated with the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® programs .

" Commissioner Berry has been clear that access to quality health care is our number one priority. What is fundamentally clear to us is that there is no better way to improve access across the state than to listen to and respond to Medicaid provider concerns This work group is an excellent way to identify our priorities and develop a short-range and long-range strategic path forward to address many of the issues we are discussing," said Pfirman. "We have only met twice, yet we already have an actionable recommendation that the Medicaid Division is reviewing at this time, as well as a few others that are under favorable discussion."

Responding to one of the most common issues raised by providers, Georgia Medicaid intends to implement a common Claims Portal to streamline the claims submission process. Currently, providers are required to use multiple online portals to submit claims for reimbursement by Fee For Service (FFS) Medicaid and for each CMO. The work group's vision is to establish a single point of entry for claims submission, regardless of which CMO a patient is a member or if the patient is enrolled in FFS Medicaid. This work, internally at DCH Medicaid, is well underway. "This is an example of what collaboration can accomplish. It's significant," said Pfirman.

There are several additional issues raised by work group members that are in initial stages of review and discussion. 

The Medicaid Administrative Simplification work group began meeting in January 2018. The Department anticipates continuation of this work, to be defined as progress is made, for the immediate future.
Georgia Medicaid Fair 
Save the Date

Dear Georgia Medicaid Providers and Stakeholders:
The Department of Community Health (DCH) and DXC Technology encourage you to save the date for our next Medicaid Fair!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center
15 RDC Road
Tifton, Georgia 31794
 
The Medicaid Fair will open with important updates on emergent issues by DCH Leadership. There will be over a dozen break-out sessions that will cover a variety of topics. The Care Management Organizations (CMOs) will be onsite to answer your questions. DCH and DXC Technology are also bringing back several 30-minute break-out sessions so you can get as much out of your Medicaid Fair day as possible. Please stay tuned for additional details. Registration information will be posted soon.
 
Want to help shape our agenda?
To ensure that our planned break-out sessions (including time for questions and answers) address relevant topics for you, please submit your suggested breakout topics to  GeorgiaMedicaidFair@dxc.com  no later than Wednesday, February 28, 2018. The agenda will be developed based on your feedback.
 
Need more information about the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center?
For location and directions to the Medicaid Fair, please visit the UGA Tifton Conference Center website at:  http://www.caes.uga.edu/campuses/tifton/conference-center/about/location-and-directions.html .
Thank you for your continued participation in the Georgia Medicaid program. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 in Tifton!
2018 DCH Board Meeting Schedule
 
To view the entire Board of Community Health meeting schedule for 2018, as well as actions taken at previous DCH Board meetings, click HERE.

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About DCH

 

2 Peachtree

 

Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, the Department of Community Health (DCH)  provides access to affordable, quality health care to millions of Georgians, including some of the state's most vulnerable and underserved populations.

 

 DCH is responsible for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids,® the State Health Benefit Plan, Healthcare Facility Regulation and Health Information Technology in Georgia.      

 

Frank W. Berry is Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health.  

 

We are dedicated to
A Healthy Georgia
.   

   

www.dch.georgia.gov 

 

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DCH-i

    

DCH Mission

 

We will provide Georgians with access to affordable quality health care through effective planning, purchasing and oversight.

We are dedicated to
A Healthy Georgia.


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About DCH-i

DCH-i is the bi-monthly newsletter from the Georgia Department of Community Health for all matters DCH. It provides timely and important information to you as physicians, dentists, hospitals, third-party payers, vendors and health care advocates.

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