March 1, 2019  |  Issue 4  |  Volume 4
Medicaid e-News
News and Announcements:
IA Health Link Members Have a New Choice

Iowa Total Care, a new Managed Care Organization (MCO), will start serving members July 1, 2019.

Iowa Total Care will join Amerigroup and UnitedHealthcare in providing medical benefits to members of the IA Health Link and Hawki managed care programs.
 
Starting March 4, 2019, an Open Choice Period will be available for all IA Health Link members through June 18, 2019. During this time, IA Health Link members can choose one of the three MCOs for medical coverage effective July 1, 2019. Until then, members will remain with their current MCO.
 
Throughout March, Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) will be mailing information about the Open Choice Period to all members of the IA Health Link program. Members will receive an MCO assignment which may be different than the MCO they are currently enrolled with; however members can choose any MCO to enroll with during the Open Choice Period.

Members can change their MCO by:
  1. Email: Email Iowa Medicaid Member Services at IMEMemberServices@dhs.state.ia.us
  2. Mail: Return a MCO Enrollment Form to: Member Services, PO Box 36510, Des Moines, IA 50315
  3. Phone: Call Iowa Medicaid Member Services at 1-800-338-8366 or locally in the Des Moines area at 515-256-4606. (Automated phone service is available 24 hours a day.)
Due to the Member Open Choice Period, members may experience longer wait times when calling Iowa Medicaid Member Services. Members are encouraged to mail or email their MCO choice.

Following July 1, 2019, members may change their MCO for any reason until September 30, 2019. After that, members may change their MCO for reasons of good cause or during their annual choice period.
 
A similar Open Choice Period for Hawki members will be held this summer.
 
More information about the Member Open Choice Period can be found here.

Public Notices

The following public notices and request for comments have recently been posted on the Iowa Department of Human Service website:



Medicaid Partnership to Prevent Cancers Related to HPV

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, every year, about 262 Iowans get cancer from human papillomavirus (HPV). Studies show getting HPV shots can prevent most cancers related to HPV. Young people should get these shots when they are 11 or 12 years old, but in Iowa only 38 percent of 13- to 15-year-olds got all the HPV shots they needed. This is lower than other shots that young people need.

A group is working together to raise HPV shot rates among Medicaid members. The group includes Amerigroup; UnitedHealthcare; American Cancer Society; Iowa Department of Public Health Care for Yourself Program; Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and Immunization Program; and the University of Iowa Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network. The group's goals are to raise HPV shot rates and reduce HPV-related cancers.
  • In 2016, the group sent HPV shot reminder postcards to parents and guardians of 9- to 13-year-olds who had not gotten all their HPV shots.
  • In 2016, the group sent letters, posters and tips to Vaccine for Children clinics which had information about postcards to members.
  • In June 2017, the same HPV shot postcards were sent again.
  • In 2018, the group sent postcards about the HPV shot to some members.
In Iowa, HPV shot rates increased over the last two years. However, rates continue to be lower than other shots.

The group has also worked to raise breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening rates. In April 2017,the group sent postcards about breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening. In 2018, the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) gave packets to doctor offices about proven ways to increase breast and cervical cancer screenings.

The group will keep working to promote the HPV shot, prevent cancer and find cancer early.

Looking for an Old Issue of the Medicaid e-News?
Each edition features useful tools and important updates. Now you can quickly access old issues to find what your looking for. Visit the Iowa Medicaid newsletter page  where you'll find links to each issue.

Iowa Medicaid Contacts
Iowa Medicaid Provider Services
1-800-338-7909
IA Health Link Member Services
1-800-600-4441

1-833-404-1061

1-800-464-9484
IA Health Link Provider Services
1-800-454-3730

1-833-404-1061

1-888-650-3462
Dental Wellness Plan Member Services
1-888-472-2793

1-855-247-6262
Dental Wellness Plan Provider Services
1-888-472-1205

1-855-856-6262

Informational Letters
Informational letters are posted through the Iowa Medicaid Portal Application (IMPA) system and are available on the DHS website  here These letters communicate important policies and procedures for providers and their administrative staff. 

Iowa Medicaid Enterprise | IMECommunications@dhs.state.ia.us | dhs.iowa.gov
100 Army Post Rd., Des Moines, IA 50315